A Flat Major: Scale, Chords and Progressions

Chords in the key of A flat major

The key of A flat major has 4 flats in the key signature (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭). Its scale is A♭ – B♭ – C – D♭ – E♭ – F – G and its seven chords are A♭, B♭m, Cm, D♭, E♭, Fm and Gdim. The most common progression is A♭ – E♭ – Fm – D♭. Its relative key is F minor. With a capo on fret 1, you can play it with the shapes of G major.

The chords in the key

A♭ is home; D♭ and E♭ create the movement and tension that lead back to it, and Fm adds the minor colour. The four-note versions add the seventh.

Degree	Chord	Notes	Role	With seventh
I	A♭	A♭ – C – E♭	Tonic: home	A♭maj7
ii	B♭m	B♭ – D♭ – F	Subdominant	B♭m7
iii	Cm	C – E♭ – G	Tonic substitute	Cm7
IV	D♭	D♭ – F – A♭	Subdominant	D♭maj7
V	E♭	E♭ – G – B♭	Dominant: tension	E♭7
vi	Fm	F – A♭ – C	Relative tonic	Fm7
vii°	Gdim	G – B♭ – D♭	Dominant (leading tone)	—

Scale

A♭ – B♭ – C – D♭ – E♭ – F – G

With a capo

To make a song sound in A flat major with easy open shapes:

Capo on fret 1: play the shapes of G major
Capo on fret 4: play the shapes of E major
Capo on fret 6: play the shapes of D major

Common progressions

Loop them in the chord player and use them as the base of a song.

A♭ – E♭ – Fm – D♭ I – V – vi – IV Play in the chord player
A♭ – Fm – D♭ – E♭ I – vi – IV – V Play in the chord player
B♭m7 – E♭7 – A♭maj7 – A♭maj7 ii7 – V7 – Imaj7 – Imaj7 Play in the chord player
A♭ – D♭ – E♭ – A♭ I – IV – V – I Play in the chord player

Frequently asked questions

What chords are in the key of A flat major?

Its seven chords are A♭, B♭m, Cm, D♭, E♭, Fm and Gdim.

How many sharps or flats does A flat major have?

It has 4 flats in the key signature (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭).

What is the relative key of A flat major?

Its relative key is F minor: they share the same notes and chords.