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Ab Major Triads on Guitar — Shapes & Inversions

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The Ab Major triad is Ab–C–Eb — R–3–5. Below you'll find all 11 close-voiced shapes within the first 12 frets: every inversion on every string set, color-coded and verified by the engine that powers our trainer.

Ab
R
root
C
3
major third
Eb
5
perfect fifth
Root position (R in bass)1st inversion (3rd in bass)2nd inversion (5th in bass)

Ab Major triads — all positions

Strings 1·2·3 (e · B · G)

3 5 7 9 12 15 R 5 3 3 R 5

Strings 2·3·4 (B · G · D)

3 5 7 9 12 15 3 R 5 5 3 R R 5 3

Strings 3·4·5 (G · D · A)

3 5 7 9 12 15 R 5 3 3 R 5 5 3 R

Strings 4·5·6 (D · A · E)

3 5 7 9 12 15 5 3 R R 5 3 3 R 5

Ab Major triads — full position reference

Ab Major triads on Strings 1·2·3 (e · B · G), standard tuning
InversionPositionNotes (low to high)Intervals
1st inversionstring 3 fret 5, string 2 fret 4, string 1 fret 4C–Eb–Ab3–5–R
2nd inversionstring 3 fret 8, string 2 fret 9, string 1 fret 8Eb–Ab–C5–R–3
Ab Major triads on Strings 2·3·4 (B · G · D), standard tuning
InversionPositionNotes (low to high)Intervals
2nd inversionstring 4 fret 1, string 3 fret 1, string 2 fret 1Eb–Ab–C5–R–3
Root positionstring 4 fret 6, string 3 fret 5, string 2 fret 4Ab–C–EbR–3–5
1st inversionstring 4 fret 10, string 3 fret 8, string 2 fret 9C–Eb–Ab3–5–R
Ab Major triads on Strings 3·4·5 (G · D · A), standard tuning
InversionPositionNotes (low to high)Intervals
1st inversionstring 5 fret 3, string 4 fret 1, string 3 fret 1C–Eb–Ab3–5–R
2nd inversionstring 5 fret 6, string 4 fret 6, string 3 fret 5Eb–Ab–C5–R–3
Root positionstring 5 fret 11, string 4 fret 10, string 3 fret 8Ab–C–EbR–3–5
Ab Major triads on Strings 4·5·6 (D · A · E), standard tuning
InversionPositionNotes (low to high)Intervals
Root positionstring 6 fret 4, string 5 fret 3, string 4 fret 1Ab–C–EbR–3–5
1st inversionstring 6 fret 8, string 5 fret 6, string 4 fret 6C–Eb–Ab3–5–R
2nd inversionstring 6 fret 11, string 5 fret 11, string 4 fret 10Eb–Ab–C5–R–3

Where Each Inversion Sits

Strings 1·2·31st inversion — fret 42nd inversion — fret 8
Strings 2·3·42nd inversion — fret 1root position — fret 41st inversion — fret 8
Strings 3·4·51st inversion — fret 12nd inversion — fret 5root position — fret 8
Strings 4·5·6root position — fret 11st inversion — fret 62nd inversion — fret 10
Download PDF — Ab chart (all qualities)Open the full triads chart

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How to Practice Ab Major Triads

Play the shapes on one string set from the nut up: 1st inversion at fret 4 first, then the next inversion, then the next — say the inversion out loud as you land on it. Then lock one fret region and switch between string sets instead. When the shapes come without thinking, test yourself in the trainer: it will flash Ab Major voicings for you to name, or name them for you to find.

Frequently Asked Questions

What notes are in the Ab Major triad?

Ab (root), C (major third), Eb (perfect fifth).

How many Ab Major triad shapes are there on guitar?

Within the first 12 frets there are 11 close-voiced shapes: root position, 1st and 2nd inversions spread across the four three-string sets. Above the 12th fret the same shapes repeat an octave higher.

What is an easy Ab Major triad shape to start with?

Start on strings 1·2·3 with the lowest shape on the neck (1st inversion at fret 4) — three notes, no barre, and the same grip moves to every other key.

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