Ab Major (Ab)

Also written as G# Major (G# and Ab are the same key).

Download MIDI
1+3+5
B#3G#1D#5
4 4

Notes in Ab Major

G# (root)B#D#

Inversions

Same notes as Ab Major, with a different chord tone as the lowest note. Useful for smoother movement between chords instead of jumping around the keyboard.

Root position

G# in the bass

B#3G#1D#5

1st inversion

B# in the bass (Ab/B#)

B#1D#2G#5

2nd inversion

D# in the bass (Ab/D#)

B#5D#1G#3

Play G#, B# and D# together and you get Ab Major.

Built from a root, a major third and a perfect fifth, this is the chord most people picture when they think of the word chord. It sounds bright, settled and complete on its own, which is exactly why it works so well as home base in a progression. It's usually the first chord shape anyone learns at the piano, and for good reason: the hand position barely moves between one major triad and the next.

Difficulty: Beginner. Category: Triads. Click any highlighted key on the diagram above, or tab to it and press Enter, to hear that single note. Inversions mark the bass note with a contrasting outline.