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Ab6 Chord

Ab6 keeps the A flat major triad and adds F, its sixth. It can finish a phrase with more color than the plain triad without becoming a seventh chord.

  • Notes: A flat-C-E flat-F
  • Symbol: Ab6
  • I6 in Ab major
  • Added sixth
Switch chordAb6

How to play an Ab6 chord

Notes: Ab - C - Eb - F · symbol Ab6

  • Root position

    Ab - C - Eb - F
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-3-5 · Left 5-3-2-1

  • 1st inversion

    C - Eb - F - Ab
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-3-5 · Left 5-4-2-1

  • 2nd inversion

    Eb - F - Ab - C
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-4-5 · Left 5-3-2-1

  • 3rd inversion

    F - Ab - C - Eb
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-4-5 · Left 5-3-2-1

Where does Ab6 belong?

The extra sixth belongs to the major scale and colors the chord without changing its major third.
Play the role cards to hear how its surrounding chords change the job it does; Diatonic Chords explains the basic numbered roles.

  • In Ab majorSoft home
    I6

    A home chord with the sixth added: finished, but less plain than a triad.

    DbIVEbVAb6I6
  • In Eb majorWarm step away
    IV6

    The IV of Eb major with a sixth for extra warmth.

    EbIAb6IV6BbVEbI

Progressions to try

  • DbEbAb6

    After the approach chords, Ab6 lands on the tonic with an added sixth rather than a plain triad.

  • EbAb6BbEb

    The IV chord carries the sixth here; compare it with the unextended chords around it.

Which shape should you use?

On guitar, start with xx6868, played at the 6th fret. The barre shape x-11-10-10-13-11, at the 10th fret, moves the chord up the neck and sits well between other barre chords.

On ukulele, start with 1313, played at the 1st fret. 5546 gives a higher version.

On piano, play A flat-C-E flat-F. Move A flat up an octave to reach the first inversion, C-E flat-F-A flat; the notes remain the same while the lowest voice changes.

What are the inversions?

A flat, C and E flat make the major triad; F adds the sixth.

  • Root position: A flat-C-E flat-F, with A flat lowest.
  • First inversion: C-E flat-F-A flat, written Ab6/C if C is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Second inversion: E flat-F-A flat-C, written Ab6/Eb if E flat is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Third inversion: F-A flat-C-E flat, written Ab6/F if F is lowest in the whole arrangement.

A slash chord names the note in the bass, not merely the lowest note under one hand. Chord Inversions shows how to read that distinction.

How does Ab6 differ from Ab?

Remove only F and Ab6 becomes Ab. The major third stays, so this is an added note, not a replacement. Try that one-note change on piano, then use the comparer to hear it in the full chord. See Ab for the other chord's full spelling and roles.

  • Ab6

    Ab - C - Eb - F
    C4

    Ab major 6

  • Ab

    Ab - C - Eb
    C4

    Ab major

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