How to play Ab on guitar (and easier ways)
Ab is the E-shape barre at the 4th fret: F moved up three frets.
The 3D hands holding Ab. Switch to 0.5× and turn the guitar to see each finger.
Where the fingers go
- Index finger (1) lies across all six strings at fret 4.
- Ring finger (3) on the A (5th) string, fret 6.
- Pinky finger (4) on the D (4th) string, fret 6.
- Middle finger (2) on the G (3rd) string, fret 5.
Notes in the chord: G# – Eb – C
Tips
- Once you can play F, Ab is the same shape higher up, where the strings are easier to press.
- The frets are closer together at the 4th fret, so the stretch is smaller.
- In songs that live in Ab or Eb, try capo 1 and the shapes a fret lower.
With a capo
Capo 1 and play a G shape for the same pitch. Work out other keys with the capo calculator.
Practise Ab inside a real song
Paste the chords of any song that uses Ab, or snap a photo of the sheet. SnapFret plays it with the hands, and you can loop the change you find hardest.
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