A♭13
Ab Dominant 13th — the tallest dominant — the thirteenth on top gives the resolution a wide, singing edge.
The keys
A♭ – C – E♭ – G♭ – B♭ – F
What's inside A♭13
| Note | Interval from root | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| A♭ | Root | 1 |
| C | Major 3rd | 3 |
| E♭ | Perfect 5th | 5 |
| G♭ | Minor 7th | b7 |
| B♭ | Major 9th | 9 |
| F | Major 13th | 13 |
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 – G♭3 |
| Right (colour) | C5 – B♭5 – F6 |
Where A♭13 lives
As the I chord
A♭13 → D♭ → E♭ → A♭13
The classic I–IV–V–I motion with this chord as home.
In a ii–V–I
B♭m7 → E♭7 → A♭13
The strongest cadence in harmony, resolving onto this chord.
Put A♭13 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 →