Abmaj7: guitar chord voicings, inversions, scales and arpeggios

Abmaj7 (Major 7) is an interactive GuitarArcanum page with chord formula, intervals, voicings, inversions, triads, pentatonic patterns, scales and arpeggios on the fretboard.

Chord formula

Interval formula: 1 3 5 7. A major triad with a major 7th. A soft, dreamy tonic chord — the signature sound of jazz and bossa nova.

Chord tones

The major 7th, a half-step below the root, gives a gentle tension on top. It's what sets maj7 apart from a plain major.

Sound character

Soft, bright and dreamy — a calm, 'expensive' major.

Harmonic function

A tonic. The resting chord in a major key, and also on the IV.

Typical progressions

Bbm7 – Eb7 – Abmaj7
Abmaj7 – Fm7 – Bbm7 – Eb7
Dbmaj7 – Abmaj7

Guitar voicing advice

Keep the 3rd and 7th close together — that's the core. Drop the 5th; avoid doubling the root right under the 7th in a tight voicing.

Fretboard voicings for Abmaj7

A few curated Abmaj7 shapes with fret numbers, intervals and root markers.

Abmaj7 — Drop 2, root on 6th string, frets 3–7

Abmaj7 — Drop 2, root on 5th string, frets 0–12

Abmaj7 — Drop 2, root on 4th string, frets 5–9

Compatible scales for Abmaj7

Open interactive scale pages that naturally pair with this chord.

Other chord qualities on the Ab root

Compare this chord with other qualities sharing the same root.