Chord · Guitar
A♭ Diminished 7 Chord · Guitar
Fretboard map · Guitar
Find every available note across the first 12 frets.
Notes
A♭ · C♭ · E𝄫 · G𝄫
Root: A♭
Intervals
1 · ♭3 · ♭5 · 𝄫7
How it is built
This chord starts on A♭ and applies the intervals 1, ♭3, ♭5, 𝄫7. The result contains 4 distinct pitch classes per octave.
Explore related combinations
Guide and musical context
About A♭ Diminished 7 Guitar Chord
A♭ Diminished 7 Guitar chord contains A♭, C♭, E𝄫, G𝄫. Its sound is highly tense, symmetrical and ambiguous.
Character and sound
Highly tense, symmetrical and ambiguous.
Musical context and history
The diminished seventh stacks minor thirds and divides the octave symmetrically. It became especially useful in classical and Romantic harmony because it can be reinterpreted and resolve in several directions, and it remains common in jazz.
How and where it is used
It is effective for modulation, chromatic passing motion and dramatic resolutions.
On guitar, the same pitch collection can appear in several fretboard positions. Favor comfortable fingerings, guide tones and open strings when useful; the map shows all available positions across the first twelve frets. Everything you see and hear on this page comes from the same note set shown above.
Harmonic and musical relationships
Compare this chord with other variants sharing the root A♭. Changing a single third, fifth, seventh or extension makes it easy to hear which interval defines the chord’s character.
The formula on this page is 1 · ♭3 · ♭5 · 𝄫7 and, from A♭, produces the notes A♭ · C♭ · E𝄫 · G𝄫.
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the A♭ Diminished 7 Guitar chord?
The notes are A♭, C♭, E𝄫, G𝄫.
What is its interval formula?
The formula is 1 · ♭3 · ♭5 · 𝄫7.
How does it sound and what is it used for?
Highly tense, symmetrical and ambiguous. It is effective for modulation, chromatic passing motion and dramatic resolutions.
How can I check it on Guitar?
Use the interactive diagram on this page and press Play or Note by note. The highlighted positions, written notes and playback all use the same pitch collection.