Also written A♭m or A♭min
A♭ minor contains A♭, C♭, and E♭. The 4th fret shape is a compact four-fret stretch for intermediate players.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
A♭ minor is built from the formula 1, ♭3, 5. The minor 3rd between A♭ and C♭ gives the chord its minor quality. Compare with A♭ major, where the 3rd is C natural.
A♭ minor suits funk and R&B bass lines. Pair it with E major for a classic IV movement.
The 4th fret position has A♭ in the bass for a strong root. The A♭min/D♯ inversion at ×-6-6-4 puts E♭ in the bass, useful for stepwise motion.
A♭ minor is played at the 4th fret as 4 6 6 4: index finger on the E string at fret 4, ring finger on the A string at fret 6, pinky finger on the D string at fret 6 and middle finger on the G string at fret 4.
Tip — The stretch between index on fret 4 and pinky on fret 6 requires moderate finger independence.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 4 | 1 | A♭ (1) |
| 3 (A) | 6 | 3 | E♭ (5) |
| 2 (D) | 6 | 4 | A♭ (1) |
| 1 (G) | 4 | 2 | C♭ (♭3) |
A♭ minor is played at the 6th fret as 7 6 6 8: ring finger on the E string at fret 7, index finger on the A string at fret 6, middle finger on the D string at fret 6 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 8.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7 | 3 | C♭ (♭3) |
| 3 (A) | 6 | 1 | E♭ (5) |
| 2 (D) | 6 | 2 | A♭ (1) |
| 1 (G) | 8 | 4 | E♭ (5) |
A♭ minor is played at the 4th fret as × 6 6 4: middle finger on the A string at fret 6, ring finger on the D string at fret 6 and index finger on the G string at fret 4. The E string stays muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (A) | 6 | 2 | E♭ (5) |
| 2 (D) | 6 | 3 | A♭ (1) |
| 1 (G) | 4 | 1 | C♭ (♭3) |
A♭ minor is played at the 9th fret as 11 11 9 ×: middle finger on the E string at fret 11, ring finger on the A string at fret 11 and index finger on the D string at fret 9. The G string stays muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 11 | 2 | E♭ (5) |
| 3 (A) | 11 | 3 | A♭ (1) |
| 2 (D) | 9 | 1 | C♭ (♭3) |
| 1 (G) | muted | — | — |
A♭ minor is written as A♭m, A♭min, A♭−, or A♭mi. The ASCII root is Ab, so you may see Abm. It is also spelled G♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
A♭ minor has a C♭, while A♭ major has a C natural. The minor 3rd makes the chord sound darker.
The default position does not require a barre. Each finger frets a separate string.