Ab Ukulele Chord
Need the Ab chord for a song? It is a barre shape, which feels awkward at first but is well worth learning. Your fingers go on the g, C, E and A strings. The steps below show exactly where each one sits.
A three-finger shape. Here is how to play Ab, step by step.
- Notes: Ab, C and Eb
- Frets: 5 3 4 3
- Tuning: g C E A
Ab ukulele chord details
- Type
- Major triad
- Also known as
- Ab major
- Formula
- 1 3 5
- Intervals
- Ab (root), C (major 3rd), Eb (perfect 5th)
- Notes
- Ab, C and Eb
- Frets
- 5 3 4 3
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Tuning
- Standard (g C E A)
How to play the Ab chord
Here is the Ab chord step by step:
- Put your little finger on the 5th fret of the g string.
- Lay your index finger flat across the C and A strings at the 3rd fret, a small barre.
- Put your middle finger on the 4th fret of the E string.
- Strum all four strings.
Roll your index finger slightly onto its bony side so it presses every string evenly. Read how to play bar chords if it keeps buzzing. New to these grids? Have a look at how to read a ukulele chord diagram.
What notes are in the Ab chord?
The Ab chord is built from three notes: Ab, C and Eb (the root, major 3rd and perfect 5th). Major chords are the bright, happy ones, which is why so many singalong songs are built on them. Curious which chords sit together in a song? See which chords share a key.
Ukulele songs that use the Ab chord
Want to go further?
Once Ab feels comfortable, its close relatives are worth exploring: try Ab7, Abmaj7, Abm and Absus4. It works as a richer color alongside the basic chords you already know. Then put it into a strumming pattern. When you are ready, try some easy ukulele songs.