Chords in the key of A flat major
The key of A flat major has the notes A♭, B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F, and G and the chords A♭, B♭m, Cm, D♭, E♭, Fm, and G°. As seventh chords: A♭7M, B♭m7, Cm7, D♭7M, E♭7, Fm7, and Gm7(♭5). Key signature: 4 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭). Relative minor: F minor.
- A♭
- B♭
- C
- D♭
- E♭
- F
- G
Chords in A flat major
| Degree | Triad | Seventh chord | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | A♭ | A♭7M | tonic |
| ii | B♭m | B♭m7 | subdominant |
| iii | Cm | Cm7 | tonic |
| IV | D♭ | D♭7M | subdominant |
| V | E♭ | E♭7 | dominant |
| vi | Fm | Fm7 | tonic |
| vii° | G° | Gm7(♭5) | dominant |
Each chord in the table opens its guitar page, with the diagram and the sound.
The chords of A flat major on the piano
What each chord does
Tonic (A♭, Cm, and Fm) feels at rest; subdominant (B♭m and D♭) moves away from home; dominant (E♭ and G°) builds tension and wants to go back to A♭.
Common progressions in A flat major
Listen to each one and open it in the backing track to play along.
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The pop progression
I–V–vi–IVThe most used sequence in pop and country: it works under almost any melody.
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50s progression
I–vi–IV–VThe "doo-wop": from 1950s ballads to today's romantic pop.
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Jazz IIm–V–I
ii7–V7–Imaj7The most important cadence in jazz and bossa nova.
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The three chords
I–IV–VI–IV–V: the foundation of rock, blues, country and folk.
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Sentimental pop
vi–IV–I–VThe pop progression starting on the relative minor: emotional, chorus-ready.
Relative and parallel keys
Relative minor: F minor. Both scales have the same notes and the same key signature (4 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭)).
Parallel key: G sharp minor, with the same tonic and the other mode. Switching between them mid-song changes the mood without moving the home note.
Neighbours on the circle of fifths: D flat major (a fifth below) and E flat major (a fifth above). Modulating to them sounds natural.
Circle of fifths
A flat major is highlighted. Clockwise, each step goes up a fifth and adds a sharp; counter-clockwise, a flat. The relative minors are on the inside. Tap a key to see its chords.
Scales and tools for A flat major
Chords in other keys
Major keys
Minor keys
Frequently asked questions
What chords are in the key of A flat major?
A♭, B♭m, Cm, D♭, E♭, Fm, and G°. As seventh chords: A♭7M, B♭m7, Cm7, D♭7M, E♭7, Fm7, and Gm7(♭5).
What is the relative of A flat major?
F minor. Both scales have the same notes and the same key signature: 4 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭).
What is the key signature of A flat major?
A flat major has 4 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭) in its key signature.
What is the dominant chord in A flat major?
It is E♭ (or E♭7 with the seventh), the V chord. It builds tension and resolves to A♭, the tonic.
What chord progressions work in A flat major?
The most common: I–V–vi–IV: A♭ E♭ Fm D♭; I–vi–IV–V: A♭ Fm D♭ E♭; ii7–V7–Imaj7: B♭m7 E♭7 A♭7M; I–IV–V: A♭ D♭ E♭; vi–IV–I–V: Fm D♭ A♭ E♭.