G# / Ab Guitar Chord
G# (also written Ab) is a major chord. Major chords sound bright and stable, the most basic chord sound there is. Its notes are Ab, C and Eb. Below are 2 ways to play it, each with a chord diagram, tab and finger numbers.
Notes in G# / Ab
G# and Ab are two names for the same chord. The notes below are spelled as Ab.
| Note | Degree | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| Ab | R | Root |
| C | 3 | Major 3rd |
| Eb | 5 | Perfect 5th |
Formula: 1–3–5
G# / Ab chord shapes
Finger numbers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 pinky. In the tab, x means don't play that string and 0 means play it open. In the diagrams the top line is the 1st (thinnest) string and the nut is on the left.
E-shape 4fr
Easiest- Tab (6th → 1st string)
- 4 6 6 5 4 4
- Fingers
- 1 3 4 2 1 1
A-shape 11fr
- Tab (6th → 1st string)
- x 11 13 13 13 11
- Fingers
- – 1 3 3 3 1
How to play G# / Ab (easiest shape)
Shape: E-shape 4fr, tab 4 6 6 5 4 4 (6th to 1st string).
- 1Lay your index finger (1) flat across the 6th to 1st strings at the 4th fret (a barre).
- 2Put your middle finger (2) on the 3rd string at the 5th fret.
- 3Put your ring finger (3) on the 5th string at the 6th fret.
- 4Put your pinky (4) on the 4th string at the 6th fret.
- 5Strum down from the 6th string to the 1st string.
G# / Ab: common questions
- What notes are in the G# / Ab chord?
- G# and Ab are two names for the same chord. Spelled as Ab, it has 3 notes: Ab, C and Eb. Counted from the root, that is 1–3–5.
- Is there an easier way to play G# / Ab?
- The easiest shape on this page is "E-shape 4fr" (4 6 6 5 4 4). Every shape on this page is a barre chord. Barre shapes are movable: keep the same hand shape and slide it along the neck to play this type of chord from other roots.
Related chords
Other G#/Ab chords
Relative minor
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