A-flat major sixth

Ab6 Piano Voicings

Ab6 replaces the major seventh with the sixth, giving a settled, swing-era sound. It is a common substitute for the major-seventh chord as a final tonic.

Drill Ab6 in all 12 keys

The notes in Ab6

  • Ab R
  • C 3
  • Eb 5
  • F 6

Ab6 voicings on piano

Each voicing is the exact shape the trainer drills. Press play to hear it — as a block chord or rolled note by note.

Root Position

Ab · C · Eb · F R · 3 · 5 · 6

Shell Voicing

Ab · C · F R · 3 · 6

Rootless A

C · Eb · F · Bb 3 · 5 · 6 · 9

Rootless B

F · Bb · C · Eb 6 · 9 · 3 · 5

Where Ab6 fits in a ii-V-I

Ab6 replaces the major seventh with the sixth, giving a settled, swing-era sound. It is a common substitute for the major-seventh chord as a final tonic.

The fastest way to internalise Ab6 is to drill it in context across all 12 keys until the shape is automatic.

Practice the full ii-V-I progression

Ab6 — frequently asked questions

What notes are in Ab6?

Ab6 contains Ab, C, Eb, F — root, major third, perfect fifth and major sixth.

When do you use Ab6?

Ab6 is often used as a final resting chord, because the sixth sounds more stable and less tense than a major seventh.