Ab Minor Major 7 Chord

What is the Ab Minor Major 7 Chord?

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

Notes and Arpeggios

The minor-major 7th chord pairs a minor triad with a natural (major) 7th, creating a dramatic, film-noir quality sometimes called "the James Bond chord." The clash between the minor 3rd and major 7th produces a haunting dissonance that's immediately recognizable. The chord tones are: Ab, Cb, Eb, G. It's built from degrees 1, b3, 5, and 7.

How to Use It

This is especially common in blues and jazz, and it also shows up in funk and R&B comping. 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.

Play root and 5th on strong beats, then add the 3rd or 7th to make the chord quality clear. Use the highlights to spot where the same tone repeats across strings.