Abm Chord on Guitar (A flat minor)
Abm is a minor chord with a darker, sad or reflective sound. It contains the notes Ab – B – Eb (root + minor third + perfect fifth). Below you will find 3 ways to play it on guitar.
How to play Abm
Position 1: x 11 13 13 12 11
- low E: don't play
- A: fret 11
- D: fret 13
- G: fret 13
- B: fret 12
- high E: fret 11
Position 2: 4 6 6 4 4 4
- low E: fret 4
- A: fret 6
- D: fret 6
- G: fret 4
- B: fret 4
- high E: fret 4
Position 3: x x 6 8 9 7
- low E: don't play
- A: don't play
- D: fret 6
- G: fret 8
- B: fret 9
- high E: fret 7
This chord has no easy open shape, so it is usually played as a barre chord. Press the barre with the side of your index finger, keep your thumb behind the neck, and check each string one by one until all of them ring clearly.
Chord theory
A minor chord differs from a major chord by only one note: the third is lowered by a half step. That single change gives the chord its darker, more emotional character.
Degrees: 1 = Ab, ♭3 = B, 5 = Eb
Using Abm in songs
Minor chords appear on the 2nd, 3rd and 6th degrees of a major key. The 6th-degree minor chord (the relative minor) is especially common in ballads and pop progressions.
Relative major: B