Abm7 Chord (Ab minor 7th) on Guitar
Abm7 (Ab minor 7th) is made of the notes Ab – Cb – Eb – Gb. The easiest guitar fingering is 46440x (low E to high e; x = muted, 0 = open). It uses a barre, so it is more demanding than an open chord. Expect it to take some practice to sound clean.
Main shape
Alternative shape
Higher position
How to play Abm7
- Press the 6th string (low E) at fret 4 (Ab).
- Press the 5th string (A) at fret 6 (Eb).
- Press the 4th string (D) at fret 4 (Gb).
- Press the 3rd string (G) at fret 4 (Cb).
- Play the 2nd string (B) open (Cb).
- Do not play the 1st string (high e).
| String | Fret | Note | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6th string (low E) | 4 | Ab | R |
| 5th string (A) | 6 | Eb | 5 |
| 4th string (D) | 4 | Gb | b7 |
| 3rd string (G) | 4 | Cb | b3 |
| 2nd string (B) | 0 (open) | Cb | b3 |
| 1st string (high e) | x (mute) | - |
What is a Ab minor 7th chord?
A minor 7th chord is a minor triad with a minor seventh added on top.
Notes and formula. Abm7 contains Ab, Cb, Eb, Gb. Counted from the root Ab, that is R (root), b3 (minor 3rd), 5 (perfect 5th), b7 (minor 7th). It is also written G#m7; the two names sound identical and the name used depends on the key of the song.
Sound. Mellow, warm and relaxed. It is minor without the sadness of a plain minor triad.
Where it is used. Everywhere in funk, soul, R&B, jazz and lo-fi. It is the ii chord in jazz ii-V-I progressions and a common substitute for the plain minor chord.
Tips for playing Abm7
Many minor 7th shapes are easier than the minor chord itself because they lift a finger. Try swapping Am for Am7 in a song you know.
Common mistake: Treating m7 and maj7 as the same. The "m" means the third is minor; the 7 means the seventh is a minor seventh.
Keys that contain Abm7
Abm7 is a diatonic chord, meaning it occurs naturally without accidentals, in these keys:
- E major – iii chord
- F# major – ii chord
- B major – vi chord
- C# minor – v chord
- Eb minor – iv chord
- Ab minor – i chord
Try it in a progression: browse chord progressions for every key.
Scales to play over Abm7
Related chords
Abm7 chord FAQ
What notes are in a Abm7 chord?
Abm7 (Ab minor 7th) contains the notes Ab, Cb, Eb, Gb. The formula is R–b3–5–b7 relative to the root Ab.
How do you play Abm7 on guitar?
The most common shape for Abm7 is 46440x, read from the low E string to the high e string (x = muted, 0 = open, numbers = frets). It uses a barre, so it is more demanding than an open chord. Expect it to take some practice to sound clean.
Is Abm7 an easy guitar chord?
It is rated intermediate. It uses a barre, so it is more demanding than an open chord. Expect it to take some practice to sound clean.
Is Abm7 the same as G#m7?
Yes. Ab and G# are enharmonic: they are the same pitch with different names, so Abm7 and G#m7 sound identical on guitar. The name used depends on the key of the song.
Which keys contain Abm7?
Abm7 is a diatonic chord in E major (iii), F# major (ii), B major (vi), C# minor (v), Eb minor (iv), Ab minor (i).
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