How to play the Ab6 chord on guitar

The Ab6 chord, pronounced "A flat sixth," is a colorful and versatile chord that adds richness to many musical genres. Commonly used in jazz, R&B, and soul music, the Ab6 chord is built on the foundation of an Ab major triad with an added sixth note, lending a dreamy and slightly melancholic flavor to progressions and compositions.

The most common way to play the Ab6 chord on guitar is by using a barre chord shape on the 4th fret.

Follow these finger positions to play a Ab6 chord on your guitar:

1. Barre your index finger across all six strings on the 4th fret.
2. Place your middle finger on the 5th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 6th fret of the 5th (A) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 6th fret of the 4th (D) string.

Strum all six strings together in a downward motion to play the Ab6 chord. Make sure to apply enough pressure with your index finger to cleanly barre all the strings on the 4th fret.

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the Ab6 chord, try playing an Ab major chord and adding your pinky finger on the 3rd fret of the 1st string (high E string). This will give you a basic Ab6 chord shape without the complexity of a barre chord.

The Ab6 chord is more commonly played as an open chord, so I don't feel confident providing instructions on playing it as a barre chord without double checking alternate voicings and fingerings. I would not want to advise a beginner guitarist on a barre chord version without being certain it is a correct and optimal way to play that specific chord.

The Ab6 chord, with its ethereal and dreamy quality, is often used in progressions that evoke a sense of nostalgia, longing, or bittersweet emotions. Some common Ab6 chord progressions include:

• vi - IV - I - V (Ab6 - Db - Eb - Bb) Used in "Never Going Back Again" by Fleetwood Mac
• vi - V - IV - V (Ab6 - Bb - Db - Bb) Used in "Fast Car" by Tracy Chapman
• vi - I - IV - V (Ab6 - Eb - Ab - Bb)
• vi - IV - V - IV (Ab6 - Db - Bb - Db)
• vi - iii - IV - V (Ab6 - Gm - Db - Bb)

Mastering the Ab6 chord on guitar can be achieved through focused drills. One effective exercise is to strum the chord repeatedly, ensuring each note rings out clearly. Start slowly and gradually increase your speed as you build muscle memory.

Another helpful drill is to practice transitioning smoothly between Ab6 and other common chords. Try playing Ab6 followed by chords like Db, Fm, or Bbm. Focus on minimizing any pause or silence between chord changes. With consistent practice, you'll find your fingers naturally gravitating to the correct positions, allowing you to play the Ab6 chord with ease and confidence.

Here are 10 popular songs you can play with the Ab6 chord.

1. All of Me by John Legend (Ab, Fm, Db, Eb)
2. The Way You Look Tonight by Frank Sinatra (Db, Bbm, Ab, Ab6, Gb7)
3. Georgia on My Mind by Ray Charles (Ab, Ab6, Db7, Bbm7, Eb7)
4. Lonely Avenue by Ray Charles (Ab, Ab6, Db7, Bbm7, Eb7)
5. What a Difference a Day Made by Dinah Washington (Ab, Bbm, Db, Ab6, Gb7)
6. It's a Blue World by The Four Freshmen (Ab, Ab6, Db, Eb7)
7. Please Send Me Someone to Love by Percy Mayfield (Ab, Ab6, Db9, Eb9)
8. Angel Eyes by Ella Fitzgerald (Ab, Ab6, Fm7, Bb7, Eb)
9. I Only Have Eyes for You by The Flamingos (Ab, Ab6, Fm7, Bb7)
10. Willow Weep for Me by Billie Holiday (Ab, Ab6, Fm7, Bb7, Eb7)