Ab Major

Fretboard

About

The A♭ major triad (A♭–C–E♭) is built from a root, major third, and perfect fifth. Its stability comes from the perfect fifth — the strongest consonant interval — anchored by the major third that gives it its bright, open character. It serves as the tonal center (I chord) in A♭ major and the target of resolution from the dominant. Common moves include A♭–D♭–E♭ (I–IV–V) and the E♭7–A♭ cadence (V–I) that defines tonal music. On guitar, the fifth can be doubled or omitted in dense voicings without losing identity, but the major third (C) is indispensable — it is the one note distinguishing major from minor and from a power chord. Compared to A♭m, the raised third is the entire difference in color.

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