A♭ minor (A♭m) chord on piano

The A♭ minor chord (A♭m) is a minor triad, made of three notes: A♭ – C♭ – E♭. The same chord with a different spelling: G♯ minor (G♯m).

Root position: A♭3 – C♭4 – E♭4

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What the A♭m chord sounds like

A minor triad differs from a major one only in the third: it has a minor third, which gives it a darker, sadder colour. In a major key, chords ii, iii and vi are minor.

Notes of the A♭m chord

Degree	Note	Interval from the root
1	A♭	root
3	C♭	minor third (3 semitones)
5	E♭	perfect fifth (7 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 – C♭4 – E♭4

1st inversion

C♭4 – E♭4 – A♭4

2nd inversion

E♭4 – A♭4 – C♭5

Which keys is it in?

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

E♭ minor: iv (subdominant)
G♭ major: ii

Similar chords and substitutes

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

Substitutes (by function)

B – relative major: two shared notes
E – the major chord a major third below: two shared notes
A♭m7 – a fuller, softer minor colour

Richer versions

A♭m7 – the same chord plus 1 colour note
A♭m6 – the same chord plus 1 colour note
A♭m9 – the same chord plus 2 colour notes

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the A♭m chord?

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

How do I play the A♭m 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♭m chord written?

The chord symbol is A♭m (also written Abm), and its full name is A♭ minor.