A♭maj7 guitar chord
The A♭ major 7th chord: every way to play it on the neck, the notes in it, and the scales that sound good over it.
What's in A♭maj7
- Notes
- A♭ – C – E♭ – G
- Formula
- 1 – 3 – 5 – 7
- Name
- A♭ major 7th
A♭maj7A♭ · C · E♭ · G
2 ways to play it · Tuning E A D G B E
- E shape · 4th fret
- D shape · 6th fret
What to play over A♭maj7
Start with the chord's own notes — A♭, C, E♭, G — and land on them on the strong beats. Then reach for a scale; which one depends on the chord's job in the song.
- A♭ major scale
The major scale, when the chord is the home chord (Imaj7).
- A♭ Lydian mode
The ♯4 replaces the 4 that clashes with the chord’s 3rd — the sound of a IVmaj7.
- A♭ major pentatonic scale
Five notes with no clash, a safe and open sound.
Questions
What notes are in a A♭maj7 chord?
A♭maj7 has 4 notes: A♭, C, E♭, G. Counted from the root, its formula is 1 – 3 – 5 – 7.
What scale goes with A♭maj7?
A♭ major scale is the place to start. The major scale, when the chord is the home chord (Imaj7).