A♭ Augmented 7th
Also Known As
Hear the A♭ Augmented 7th chord played for you.
A♭+7
A♭ – C – E – G♭
Formula:R-M3-A5-m7
Intervals:P1-M3-A5-m7
Scale Degrees:1-3-#5-b7
Introduction
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.
The Ab Augmented 7th piano chord (Ab+7) consists of the notes Ab, C, E, Gb. It is an augmented triad with an added minor 7th, giving it a bright, tense, and unresolved character with a strong upward pull. Formula: R-M3-A5-m7 | Scale degrees: 1-3-#5-b7.
Notes
A♭ Augmented 7th Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | Ab – C – E – Gb |
| 1st Inversion | C – E – Gb – Ab |
| 2nd Inversion | E – Gb – Ab – C |
| 3rd Inversion | Ab – C – E – Gb |
Key Signature
The key of Ab Augmented 7th 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 Ab Major
These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the Ab major scale:
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
I — A♭ Major (major)
Theory: Intervals
Formula: R-M3-A5-m7
Intervals: P1-M3-A5-m7
The A♭ Augmented 7th is built by stacking intervals from the root note. The formula R-M3-A5-m7 describes the scale degrees used. The intervals P1-M3-A5-m7 show the distance between each note in the chord.
A♭ Augmented 7th — Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Practice Tips
- Play Ab7 then raise Eb to E — hear the augmented fifth's chromatic tension.
- Practice Ab+7 → Db Major. E and Gb both resolve to F — converging voice leading.
- Compare Ab+7 with Ab7 — both resolve to Db, but +7 adds richer harmonic colour.
- In jazz: Bbm7 → Ab+7 → Dbmaj7 adds sophistication to the ii–V–I in Db.
- Ab+7 is powerful in R&B and gospel contexts where Db Major is a common key.
- The augmented triad (Ab–C–E) divides the octave into three equal major thirds.
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.