The A♭ Augmented 7th chord is a four-note chord made up of A♭, C, E, and G♭. It is built from a root, major third, augmented fifth, and minor seventh.
Construction
A♭ Augmented 7th = Root + Major 3rd + Minor 6th + Minor 7th = A♭ · C · E · G♭
| Note | Interval | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| A♭ | Root | 1 |
| C | Major 3rd | 3 |
| E | Minor 6th | ♯5 |
| G♭ | Minor 7th | ♭7 |
A♭ Augmented 7th Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | A♭ – C – E – G♭ |
| 1st Inversion | C – E – G♭ – A♭ |
| 2nd Inversion | E – G♭ – A♭ – C |
| 3rd Inversion | G♭ – A♭ – C – E |
Key Signature
A Augmented 7th chord is built from symmetrical or ambiguous intervals, so it doesn’t belong to a single key and has no key signature of its own.
Same Notes, Other Names
The notes A♭ – C – E – G♭ aren’t exclusive to this chord. Depending on which note is the bass and how the chord functions, the same pitches also spell:
A♭ Augmented 7th — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the A♭ Augmented 7th chord on piano?
The A♭ Augmented 7th chord contains the notes A♭ – C – E – G♭. On piano, play these notes together to sound the chord.
What notes are in the Ab Augmented 7th chord?
The Ab Augmented 7th chord (Ab+7) contains four notes: Ab (root), C (major third), E (augmented fifth), and Gb (minor seventh). It combines an augmented triad with a minor seventh.
How does Ab Augmented 7th differ from Ab Dominant 7th?
Both contain Ab, C, and Gb. Ab+7 has E (augmented fifth) while Ab7 has Eb (perfect fifth). The raised fifth adds extra tension and upward pull.
How is Ab Augmented 7th used in music?
Ab+7 is an altered dominant resolving to Db Major. The E pulls up to F while Gb pulls down to F — converging on the third of Db. Common in jazz, R&B, and gospel in flat keys.
What genres use Augmented 7th chords?
Augmented 7th chords are common in jazz, gospel, blues, and R&B. Ab+7 appears in flat-key contexts popular with vocalists and horn players.
What songs use Augmented 7th chords?
Augmented 7th chords appear in jazz standards and gospel. Ab+7 resolves to Db Major, a key favoured in R&B and soul.
What is the difference between +7 and 7#5?
They are the same chord. Ab+7, Ab7#5, and Abaug7 all refer to Ab Augmented 7th.