Ab11 Ukulele Chord
Ab11 on ukulele is 1-1-2-3: barre the 1st fret across the g and C strings with your index finger, put your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the E string and your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the A string. It is a barre shape, which feels awkward at first but is well worth learning. You will also see it written as G#11, G sharp eleventh.
- Notes: Ab, C, Eb, Gb, Bb and Db
- Frets: 1 1 2 3
- Tuning: g C E A
Ab11 ukulele chord details
- Type
- Dominant 11th
- Also known as
- G#11, or Ab eleventh
- Formula
- 1 3 5 b7 9 11
- Intervals
- Ab (root), C (major 3rd), Eb (perfect 5th), Gb (minor 7th), Bb (major 9th), Db (perfect 11th)
- Notes
- Ab, C, Eb, Gb, Bb and Db
- Frets
- 1 1 2 3
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Tuning
- Standard (g C E A)
How to play the Ab11 chord
Here is the Ab11 chord step by step:
- Lay your index finger flat across the g and C strings at the 1st fret, a small barre.
- Put your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the E string.
- Put your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the A 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.
Is there an easier way to play Ab11?
Not really. 1-1-2-3 is already the simplest playable shape for Ab11 on a ukulele; every alternative either needs more fingers or sits higher up the neck. If it still feels awkward, the tips above are the fix.
What notes are in the Ab11 chord?
The Ab11 chord is built from six notes: Ab, C, Eb, Gb, Bb and Db (the root, major 3rd, perfect 5th, minor 7th, major 9th and perfect 11th). That flat seventh makes a dominant 7th restless. It leans forward and wants to resolve to the next chord, which is why it turns up all over blues and folk. New to these? Have a read about seventh chords.
Ukulele songs that use the Ab11 chord
Want to go further?
Once Ab11 feels comfortable, its close relatives are worth exploring: try Ab7, Abmaj7, Abm and Ab. It works as a richer color alongside the basic chords you already know. When that feels good, work on switching between chords faster. When you are ready, try some easy ukulele songs.