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A♭ 7sus4

Also known as G♯ 7sus4
Same keys, different spelling.
Open G♯ 7sus4 →Same chord, spelled with sharpsWhat are enharmonics? →Why one chord has two names
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Listen plays the chord. Play Along lights up each note in order so you can follow.

A♭7sus4
A♭ – D♭ – E♭ – G♭
Formula:R-P4-P5-m7
Intervals:P1-P4-P5-m7
Scale Degrees:1-4-5-b7

Introduction

Ab 7sus4 piano chord, root position — Ab, Db, Eb, Gb
The Ab 7sus4 chord in root position on a piano keyboard, notes Ab, Db, Eb, Gb.

The A♭ 7sus4 chord is a four-note chord made up of A♭, D♭, E♭, and G♭. It is built from a root, perfect fourth, perfect fifth, and minor seventh.

Notes

Notes:A♭ – D♭ – E♭ – G♭

A♭ 7sus4 Inversions

Ab 7sus4 piano chord, 1st inversion — Db, Eb, Gb, Ab
The Ab 7sus4 chord, 1st inversion, on a piano keyboard.
Ab 7sus4 piano chord, 2nd inversion — Eb, Gb, Ab, Db
The Ab 7sus4 chord, 2nd inversion, on a piano keyboard.
Ab 7sus4 piano chord, 3rd inversion — Gb, Ab, Db, Eb
The Ab 7sus4 chord, 3rd inversion, on a piano keyboard.
PositionNotes
Root PositionA♭ – D♭ – E♭ – G♭
1st InversionD♭ – E♭ – G♭ – A♭
2nd InversionE♭ – G♭ – A♭ – D♭
3rd InversionG♭ – A♭ – D♭ – E♭

Key Signature

The key of Ab 7sus4 has 4 flats.

B♭E♭A♭D♭

Order of flats

Flats are added in a fixed order — the reverse of the sharp order. Each new flat key adds the next flat on the list.

B♭E♭A♭D♭G♭C♭F♭

Mnemonic: Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles’ Father

Chords in the Key of A♭ Major

These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the A♭ major scale:

C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
I — A♭ Major (major)
DegreeNumeralChordQuality
1IA♭ MajorMajor
2iiB♭ MinorMinor
3iiiC MinorMinor
4IVD♭ MajorMajor
5VE♭ MajorMajor
6viF MinorMinor
7vii°G DiminishedDiminished

Theory: Intervals

Formula: R-P4-P5-m7
Intervals: P1-P4-P5-m7

The A♭ 7sus4 is built by stacking intervals from the root note. The formula R-P4-P5-m7 describes the scale degrees used. The intervals P1-P4-P5-m7 show the distance between each note in the chord.

A♭ 7sus4 — Frequently Asked Questions

What notes are in the Ab 7sus4 chord?
The Ab 7sus4 chord (Ab7sus4) contains 4 notes: Ab, Db, Eb, Gb. Formula: R-P4-P5-m7.
How is Ab7sus4 used in music?
Ab7sus4 is used in jazz, fusion, and contemporary music to add harmonic color. It appears as a dominant or tonic chord depending on context.
What is the scale degree formula for Ab7sus4?
Ab7sus4 uses scale degrees 1-4-5-b7, giving it its distinctive sound.

Practice Tips

  • Start by placing your thumb on Ab and spacing remaining fingers across the chord.
  • Practice Ab7sus4 slowly with separate hands before combining.
  • Listen carefully to the tension created by the altered tones in this chord.
  • Try voicing Ab7sus4 in different octaves to find the most comfortable position.
  • Resolve Ab7sus4 to a nearby chord to hear its function in context.

Related Tools

Chord FinderLook up any chord — see the notes, hear it, and play along.Chord DrillTimed drills to build speed and recognition across all chord types.Practice RoomPlug in a MIDI keyboard and get real-time feedback on every chord and scale.Circle of FifthsVisualize key relationships, relative minors, and key signatures.MIDI MonitorLive MIDI message stream with note names, velocity, and a scrolling staff.