Also written A♭mMaj7, A♭minmaj7 or A♭mmaj7
A♭ minor major 7th contains A♭, C♭, E♭, and G. Its 4th-fret position requires a wide stretch across all four strings.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
A♭ minor major 7th is built from the formula 1, ♭3, 5, 7. The minor 3rd between A♭ and C♭ gives the chord its minor quality, while the major 7th between A♭ and G adds a leading tone. Contrast this with A♭ minor, which omits the major 7th.
Use A♭ minor major 7th in jazz or fusion lines where the major 7th adds tension. Pair it with A♭ minor or A♭ 5th for contrast.
The 4th fret position keeps A♭ in the bass for a grounded sound. The A♭minmaj7/G inversion places G in the bass, creating a smoother voice leading into chords like A♭ minor.
A♭ minor major 7th is played at the 4th fret as 4 6 5 4: index finger on the E string at fret 4, pinky finger on the A string at fret 6, ring finger on the D string at fret 5 and middle finger on the G string at fret 4.
Tip — The pinky must reach the 6th fret on the A string while the index stays at the 4th fret on the E string.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 4 | 1 | A♭ (1) |
| 3 (A) | 6 | 4 | E♭ (5) |
| 2 (D) | 5 | 3 | G (7) |
| 1 (G) | 4 | 2 | C♭ (♭3) |
A♭ minor major 7th is played at the 1st fret as 3 2 1 1: barre your index finger across fret 1, ring finger on the E string at fret 3 and middle finger on the A string at fret 2.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3 | 3 | G (7) |
| 3 (A) | 2 | 2 | C♭ (♭3) |
| 2 (D) | 1 | 1 (barre) | E♭ (5) |
| 1 (G) | 1 | 1 (barre) | A♭ (1) |
A♭ minor major 7th is played at the 13th fret as 15 14 13 13: barre your index finger across fret 13, ring finger on the E string at fret 15 and middle finger on the A string at fret 14.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 15 | 3 | G (7) |
| 3 (A) | 14 | 2 | C♭ (♭3) |
| 2 (D) | 13 | 1 (barre) | E♭ (5) |
| 1 (G) | 13 | 1 (barre) | A♭ (1) |
A♭ minor major 7th is written as A♭mmaj7, mmaj7, mM7, or A♭minmaj7. The root can be typed as Ab. It is also spelled G♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Its verified note order explains the sound without relying on outside harmony. The major 7th creates a leading tone that pulls strongly to the root.
The minor 3rd (C♭) and major 7th (G) form an augmented 5th interval, which is unstable. This tension is characteristic of the minor major 7th chord.
Yes, the A♭minmaj7/G inversion at the 13th fret places the major 7th in the bass. This voicing is useful for connecting to chords with G in the bass.