Make Ab yours.
Listen, find the notes, then play them back. Your keyboard is the instrument.
Start with Listen, then play the highlighted notes.
⌨ Lower octave: A W S E D F T G Y H U J · Upper: K O L P ; ' ] Z X C V B N. Click inside this studio before using computer keys. On phones, slide the keyboard to reach higher notes. Black keys show both common note names.
Download your current note pattern and tempo, or print a practice sheet.
Four chords. Less jumping.
Try I → IV → V → I in A♭ major. Play the bass with your left hand and the three upper notes with your right. The upper voicings are chosen to keep movement small.
A♭ major
LH A♭
RH C · E♭ · A♭
D♭ major
LH D♭
RH D♭ · F · A♭
E♭ major
LH E♭
RH B♭ · E♭ · G
A♭ major
LH A♭
RH C · E♭ · A♭
Spread limits describe distances between notes, not a recommended fingering or a guarantee of comfort. Use one note at a time if needed.
What notes make up A♭ major?
A♭ major contains A♭, C, E♭. Its interval formula is 1 3 5. The numbers describe degrees relative to A♭; a flat lowers a degree by one semitone and a sharp raises it by one semitone.
| Degree | Note | Semitones from root |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A♭ | 0 |
| 3 | C | 4 |
| 5 | E♭ | 7 |
Spelling follows the interval formula. Double accidentals can be correct; a different-looking key name may sound at the same pitch.
A useful way to practice it
Build a tonic chord, then move to the fourth and fifth degrees of a major key.
- Find A♭ first. Say the remaining notes aloud: C, E♭.
- Play each note separately, then sound the full chord. Check the 3 highlighted keys against the diagram.
- Compare the voicings below. Listen for the bass changing while the pitch classes remain the same.
- Download the MIDI to loop the example, or print the PDF and mark your own comfortable fingering.
Extended chords can span a wide range. Share the notes between both hands, roll the chord, or study one voice at a time; the diagrams do not prescribe a hand stretch.
A♭ major or A♭ minor?
Keep the root A♭ fixed. Only the third changes between these triads. Compare C ↔ C♭, then listen to each version.
Positions & voicings
Each diagram keeps the same chord tones while changing which note is lowest or moving the shape into another register. For extended chords, these are complete reference voicings rather than a compact accompaniment prescription.
Root position · middle register
Root position · upper register
Inversion 1 · middle register
Inversion 1 · upper register
Inversion 2 · middle register
Inversion 2 · upper register
Using the files
The PDF includes every displayed position. SVG diagrams stay sharp when resized, and MIDI files contain the reference notes rather than a recording. Playback uses a simple synthesized tone; your MIDI app can use a different piano sound.
These diagrams are generated from the interval formula shown above. Read how our references are made →
Published · Original Artistry Piano reference · Report a correction