Learn › Ab7 Chord Inversions: All Four Positions
New Released in April 2026
Ab7 Chord Inversions: All Four Positions
A flat dominant 7th chord inversions: four positions, Ab7, Ab7/C, Ab7/Eb and Ab7/Gb. Same four notes (Ab C Eb Gb), a different one in the bass. Below: each position on the keyboard, a one-look rule to tell them apart, fingering and a ii-V-I that uses them.
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Ab7 inversions on the piano
Root position starts on Ab, then C, Eb and Gb.
Root position: Ab C Eb Gb
1st inversion: C Eb Gb Ab
2nd inversion: Eb Gb Ab C
3rd inversion: Gb Ab C Eb
- Root position: starts on Ab, a black key; black keys: Ab, Eb, Gb
- 1st inversion: starts on C, a white key; black keys: Eb, Gb, Ab
- 2nd inversion: starts on Eb, a black key; black keys: Eb, Gb, Ab
- 3rd inversion: starts on Gb, a black key; black keys: Gb, Ab, Eb
Ab7 in a ii-V-I with inversions: Ebm7 → Ab7 → Dbmaj7
This is why pianists learn seventh-chord inversions: Ebm7 → Ab7 → Dbmaj7 keeps the hand in one place.
- From Ebm7 to Ab7: Db → C, Eb stays, Gb stays, Bb → Ab.
- From Ab7 to Dbmaj7: C stays, Eb → Db, Gb → F, Ab stays.
How to tell the Ab7 inversions apart
One rule: find the pair of neighbouring notes. Its place tells you the inversion, and its upper note is the root.
| Position | Bass | Name | Figured bass | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Root position | Ab | Ab7 | 7 | no neighbours: four notes evenly stacked (major 3rd + minor 3rd + minor 3rd) |
| 1st inversion | C | Ab7/C | 6/5 | neighbours at the top (minor 3rd + minor 3rd + major 2nd) |
| 2nd inversion | Eb | Ab7/Eb | 4/3 | neighbours in the middle (minor 3rd + major 2nd + major 3rd) |
| 3rd inversion | Gb | Ab7/Gb | 4/2 | neighbours at the bottom (major 2nd + major 3rd + minor 3rd) |
Ab7 inversions: which fingers
| Position | Right hand | Left hand |
|---|---|---|
| Root position (Ab C Eb Gb) | 1-2-3-5 | 5-3-2-1 |
| 1st inversion (C Eb Gb Ab) | 1-2-3-5 | 5-3-2-1 |
| 2nd inversion (Eb Gb Ab C) | 1-2-3-5 | 5-3-2-1 |
| 3rd inversion (Gb Ab C Eb) | 1-2-3-5 | 5-3-2-1 |
Four notes, four fingers: 1-2-3-5 in the right hand and 5-3-2-1 in the left work in every position.
Make Ab7 inversions automatic
ChordRunner accepts every voicing, so you can drill all four positions of Ab7 between other chords. MIDI keyboard or microphone.
Play the demoCommon questions
What are the inversions of Ab7?
Root position Ab C Eb Gb, 1st inversion C Eb Gb Ab (Ab7/C), 2nd inversion Eb Gb Ab C (Ab7/Eb) and 3rd inversion Gb Ab C Eb (Ab7/Gb).
What is Ab7/Gb?
It is Ab7 in 3rd inversion: Gb Ab C Eb from the bottom, with the seventh in the bass. Figured bass calls it 4/2.
Can I practise Ab7 inversions with a MIDI keyboard or microphone?
Yes. ChordRunner detects a USB MIDI keyboard automatically and also hears a piano through the microphone; every inversion of Ab7 counts.
Your instrument is the controller.
ChordRunner is a browser game that teaches piano and guitar chords: a chord appears on screen, you play it on a real instrument, and your runner jumps. MIDI keyboard or microphone, both work.
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