A♭6
Ab Major 6th — a major triad sweetened with the sixth — settled, vintage, and smoother than a maj7 in many endings.
The keys
A♭ – C – E♭ – F
What's inside A♭6
| Note | Interval from root | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| A♭ | Root | 1 |
| C | Major 3rd | 3 |
| E♭ | Perfect 5th | 5 |
| F | Major 6th | 6 |
Inversions
| Position | Keys (low → high) |
|---|---|
| Root position | A♭4 – C5 – E♭5 – F5 |
| 1st inversion | C5 – E♭5 – F5 – A♭5 |
| 2nd inversion | E♭5 – F5 – A♭5 – C6 |
| 3rd inversion | F5 – A♭5 – C6 – E♭6 |
A working voicing
Split the chord between two hands the way working players do — a solid shell low down, the colour tones up top:
| Hand | Keys |
|---|---|
| Left (shell) | A♭2 – E♭3 |
| Right (colour) | C5 – F5 |
Where A♭6 lives
As the I chord
A♭6 → D♭ → E♭ → A♭6
The classic I–IV–V–I motion with this chord as home.
In a ii–V–I
B♭m7 → E♭7 → A♭6
The strongest cadence in harmony, resolving onto this chord.
Put A♭6 under your fingers
Hear every voicing, see the keys light up, and drill it in the interactive Chord & Voicing Lab.
Open the Chord & Voicing Lab →