Ab Minor
Key Signature
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tonic | Ab |
| Mode | Minor |
| Accidentals | 7 flats |
| Key Signature Notes | Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb, Fb |
Ab minor has seven flats and is enharmonically equivalent to G# minor. It is theoretically constructed; G# minor is typically preferred in practice.
Diatonic Chords
The seven diatonic chords of Ab Minor — each built on a scale degree using only the notes of the key signature:
| Degree | Roman Numeral | Chord Type | Chord |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | i | Minor | Ab Minor |
| 2 | ii° | Diminished | Bb Diminished |
| 3 | III | Major | B Major |
| 4 | iv | Minor | Db Minor |
| 5 | v | Minor | Eb Minor |
| 6 | VI | Major | E Major |
| 7 | VII | Major | Gb Major |
Related Keys
- Relative Major
- Cb Major — shares the same key signature.
- Parallel Major
- Ab Major — same tonic, different key signature.
See all key relationships on the Circle of Fifths.
Scales in Ab Minor
Common scales built from the Ab tonic:
Transposing Instrument Context
Bb instruments (trumpet, clarinet, tenor saxophone) read in Bb minor to sound Ab Minor. Eb instruments (alto saxophone, Eb clarinet) read in F minor to sound Ab Minor. Flat-key signatures are particularly comfortable for woodwind instruments designed around Bb and Eb transpositions.