The A♭ Major 6 chord is a four-note chord made up of A♭, C, E♭, and F.
Construction
A♭ Major 6 = Root + Major 3rd + Perfect 5th + Major 6th = A♭ · C · E♭ · F
| Note | Interval | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| A♭ | Root | 1 |
| C | Major 3rd | 3 |
| E♭ | Perfect 5th | 5 |
| F | Major 6th | 6 |
A♭ Major 6 Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | A♭ – C – E♭ – F |
| 1st Inversion | C – E♭ – F – A♭ |
| 2nd Inversion | E♭ – F – A♭ – C |
| 3rd Inversion | F – A♭ – C – E♭ |
Key Signature
A chord has no key signature of its own, but the A♭ Major 6 is the tonic (I) chord of Ab Major, whose key signature has 4 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭).
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 triads built on each degree of the A♭ major scale:
Same Notes, Other Names
The notes A♭ – C – E♭ – F aren’t exclusive to this chord. Depending on which note is the bass and how the chord functions, the same pitches also spell:
A♭ Major 6 — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the A♭ Major 6 chord on piano?
The A♭ Major 6 chord contains the notes A♭ – C – E♭ – F. On piano, play these notes together to sound the chord.
What notes are in the Ab Major 6 chord?
Ab6 contains: Ab, C, Eb, F. Major triad with major sixth.
How does Ab6 differ from Abmaj7?
Ab6 has F (sixth). Abmaj7 has G (seventh).
How does Ab6 differ from Fm7?
Same notes, different root.
How is Ab6 used?
Vintage jazz, R&B, gospel. Ab is a popular vocal key.
What songs use Major 6th?
Swing, R&B, gospel.
Can I substitute Ab6 for Ab Major?
Yes.