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A-flat Minor Chord
The A-flat Minor Chord is A-flat, C-flat, and E-flat. The C-flat is the white key B, which is why this chord is usually written as G-sharp minor. The shape is black-white-black, with the middle finger dropping back to the white key.
How to play the A-flat Minor Chord on the piano
Let’s go through some charts that will familiarize you with the A-flat Minor Chord and how to play it in the various forms you will encounter in pieces of music. First, we’ll look at the fundamental chord and its inversions; then, we’ll explore some more complex voicings.
The A-flat Minor Chord in root position
In root position, the notes of the A♭ minor chord are stacked in thirds with A♭ on the bottom. The appearance on the staff is evenly spaced, as is the feeling of the space in between your fingers while playing.
| A-flat Minor Chord in root position | |
|---|---|
| Note Order | A♭ C♭ E♭ |
| Left Hand Fingering | 5 3 1 |
| Right Hand Fingering | 1 3 5 |
| Chord Symbol | A♭m |
The A-flat Minor Chord in first inversion
In first inversion, the third of the chord (C♭) becomes the bottom note, and the root (A♭) jumps up to the top.
| A-flat Minor Chord in 1st inversion | |
|---|---|
| Note Order | C♭ E♭ A♭ |
| Left Hand Fingering | 5 3 1 |
| Right Hand Fingering | 1 2 5 |
| Chord Symbol | A♭m6 or A♭m/C♭ |
The A-flat Minor Chord in second inversion
In second inversion, the fifth of the chord (E♭) is on the bottom, and the third of the chord (C♭) goes to the top.
| A-flat Minor Chord in 2nd inversion | |
|---|---|
| Note Order | E♭ A♭ C♭ |
| Left Hand Fingering | 5 2 1 |
| Right Hand Fingering | 1 3 5 |
| Chord Symbol | A♭m6/4 or A♭m/E♭ |
A-flat Minor Chord theory and function
A minor chord has the lowered third, which gives it a quieter, darker color. In a major key the minor chords play supporting roles. In a minor key the minor tonic chord is home.
The A♭ minor chord is the supertonic (ii) in G♭ major. In minor keys, it is the subdominant (iv) in E♭ minor. On the keyboard this is the same chord as G♯ minor, and the spelling follows the key. The G♯ minor chord is the mediant (iii) in E major and the submediant (vi) in B major. In minor keys, it is the tonic (i) in G♯ minor and the dominant (v) in C♯ minor.
In G♯ minor the everyday pattern is i – iv – V – i: G♯m – C♯m – D♯ – G♯m, where the major V comes from the raised seventh. A minor chord is also the relative minor of the major chord a minor third above it, so a piece can move between the two and change color without leaving the key.
Other chords built on A-flat
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