Ab 7#5 (Augmented 7) Chord

What is the Ab 7#5 (Augmented 7) Chord?

If you're learning the Ab 7#5 (Augmented 7) chord, the fastest path is understanding the chord tones—not just memorizing one shape. This chord is enharmonically equivalent to G# 7#5 (Augmented 7).

Notes and Arpeggios

The 7#5 (augmented 7th) chord raises the 5th of a dominant 7th, creating a bright, altered tension that pushes hard toward resolution. It's common in jazz and gospel turnarounds where you want the V chord to feel extra urgent. The chord tones are: Ab, C, E, Gb. It's built from degrees 1, 3, #5, and b7.

How to Use It

You'll mostly hear altered dominants in jazz turnarounds and tense lead-in chords before a resolution. On bass, you usually outline this chord instead of strumming it: emphasize the root, 3rd, 5th, and 7th as the harmony requires, then use passing tones to connect back to the groove.

Build a one-bar bass line from the chord tones before adding scale passing tones. Use the highlights to spot where the same tone repeats across strings.