Abm7b5 Ukulele Chord
Abm7b5 on ukulele is 1-2-2-2: barre the 2nd fret across the C, E and A strings with your middle finger and put your index finger on the 1st fret of the g string. It is a barre shape, which feels awkward at first but is well worth learning. You will also see it written as G#m7b5, G sharp minor seventh flat five.
- Notes: Ab, B, D and Gb
- Frets: 1 2 2 2
- Tuning: g C E A
Abm7b5 ukulele chord details
- Type
- Half-diminished 7th
- Also known as
- G#m7b5, or Ab minor seventh flat five
- Formula
- 1 b3 b5 b7
- Intervals
- Ab (root), B (minor 3rd), D (diminished 5th), Gb (minor 7th)
- Notes
- Ab, B, D and Gb
- Frets
- 1 2 2 2
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Tuning
- Standard (g C E A)
How to play the Abm7b5 chord
Here is the Abm7b5 chord step by step:
- Put your index finger on the 1st fret of the g string.
- Lay your middle finger flat across the C, E and A strings at the 2nd fret, a small barre.
- 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 Abm7b5?
Not really. 1-2-2-2 is already the simplest playable shape for Abm7b5 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 Abm7b5 chord?
The Abm7b5 chord is built from four notes: Ab, B, D and Gb (the root, minor 3rd, diminished 5th and minor 7th). This half-diminished chord sounds tense and unresolved, a moody favorite in jazz and film music. New to these? Have a read about seventh chords.
Ukulele songs that use the Abm7b5 chord
Want to go further?
Once Abm7b5 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.