A♭ sixth (A♭6) chord on piano

The A♭ sixth chord (A♭6) is a major sixth chord (a major triad plus a major sixth), made of four notes: A♭ – C – E♭ – F. The same chord with a different spelling: G♯ sixth (G♯6).

Root position: A♭3 – C4 – E♭4 – F4

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What the A♭6 chord sounds like

A sixth chord is a major triad with an added major sixth. It has a cheerful, vintage swing colour and often stands in for the tonic in jazz and swing. It has the same notes as the relative minor seventh (C6 = Am7).

Notes of the A♭6 chord

Degree	Note	Interval from the root
1	A♭	root
3	C	major third (4 semitones)
5	E♭	perfect fifth (7 semitones)
6	F	major sixth (9 semitones)

Root position and inversions

An inversion uses the same notes, with a different note at the bottom. When you change chords, choosing the nearest inversion keeps your hand almost still.

Root position

A♭3 – C4 – E♭4 – F4

1st inversion

C4 – E♭4 – F4 – A♭4

2nd inversion

E♭4 – F4 – A♭4 – C5

3rd inversion

F4 – A♭4 – C5 – E♭5

Which keys is it in?

The A♭6 chord is built from the notes of these keys (for minor keys, both the natural and the harmonic minor are considered):

A♭ major: I6 (tonic)
D♭ major: V6 (dominant)
E♭ major: IV6 (subdominant)
B♭ minor: VII6
F minor: III6
C minor: VI6

Similar chords and substitutes

If A♭6 is too hard, or you want a different colour in the same spot, these chords are worth a try.

Substitutes (by function)

Fm – relative minor: two shared notes, a common stand-in for the tonic
Cm – mediant minor (iii): two shared notes
A♭maj7 – a softer, jazzier tonic colour
A♭sus4 – suspended version that resolves back to this chord

Same notes

Fm7 – the same notes with a different root

Simpler versions

A♭ – all 3 of its notes are in this chord

Richer versions

A♭13 – the same chord plus 2 colour notes

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the A♭6 chord?

A♭, C, E♭, F. The root is A♭; the intervals of the other notes from the root: major third, perfect fifth, major sixth.

How do I play the A♭6 chord on piano?

In root position, the right hand usually plays with fingers 1, 3 and 5 (thumb, middle finger, little finger); four-note chords with fingers 1, 2, 3 and 5. The left hand mirrors this: 5, 3, 1. In an inversion the top or bottom note moves to the other side, so your hand moves less when you change chords.

How is the A♭6 chord written?

The chord symbol is A♭6 (also written Ab6), and its full name is A♭ sixth.