Ab7sus4 Piano Chord

Piano Diagram of Ab7sus4 in Root Position

The Ab7sus4 chord is made up of four notes, namely Ab, Db, Eb, and Gb. This chord is known as a suspended second chord since the third note in the chord is substituted with a perfect fourth which creates a sense of suspension. To play the Ab7sus4 chord on a piano, you simply need to replace the third note (C) of an Ab7 chord with the fourth note (Db) from its root. Keep reading to get a better understanding of the music theory principles behind this chord.

 

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Fingers Position

 

Ab7sus4 Chord Inversions

 

The Ab7sus4 chord has a total of 3 inversions:

 Piano Keyboard Diagrams

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Music Theory and Harmony of Ab7sus4

 

What are Suspended  Chords?

Suspended chords are a type of chord in which the third note is replaced by either a major second or a perfect fourth. These resulting chords are called suspended second (sus2) or suspended fourth (sus4) chords, respectively. These chords create a unique and sometimes unresolved sound that can add tension and interest to a musical composition.

Suspended chords have a distinct sound that sets them apart from major and minor chords. They are called suspended chords because they temporarily suspend the listener’s expectation of hearing a major or minor stable chord. Instead, they feature a perfect fourth or major second interval in place of the third. Due to their “neutral nature,” suspended chords can sometimes be used as substitutes for both major and minor chords.

The 7sus4 chord is a more intricate and richer version of sus4 chords, thanks to the inclusion of an extra minor 7th note. This additional note makes 7sus4 chords a more suitable choice for dominant and minor 7th chords.

 

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Building the Ab7sus4 Chord: Different Approaches

Starting from the Ab major Scale

To build a 7sus4 chord, you can use the major scale as a guide and combine a root note, a perfect 4th, a perfect 5th, and a minor 7th interval.

 

 

 

To create an Ab7sus4 chord, apply the formula R, 4, 5, m7 in the following manner:

1. Begin with the Root note, Ab.
2. Select the 4th interval, Db.
3. Add the 5th note, Eb.
4. Finally, add the minor 7th interval, which is Gb.

By following this simple formula, you can create a 7sus4 chord from any major scale.

 

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by Combining Intervals

One method to create a dominant suspended 4th chord is by combining three specific intervals – a perfect 4th, a major 2nd, and a minor 3rd.

4 + 2 + m3 = 7sus4 Chords

To illustrate, let’s use the Ab7sus4 chord as an example. By examining the intervals between the notes, we can see that Ab-Db forms a perfect 4th interval, Db-Eb creates a major second interval, and the interval between Eb and Gb is a minor 3rd.

 

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How to Use Ab7sus4 in a Chord Progression

 

Suspended chords have a unique quality that sets them apart from major and minor chords. They are considered neither major nor minor, which makes them a great tool for creating tension and suspense in a musical composition before resolving to a stable major or minor chord.

To incorporate an Ab7sus4 into a chord progression, you can refer to the following tables, which outline the most common positions where the chord can be found or utilized. However, it’s crucial to understand that, since this chord contains a minor 7th, it isn’t compatible with Maj7 chords, unlike sus2 or sus4 chords. Nevertheless, it can be used on dominant chords and on all positions where an Abm7 is present.

Ab7sus4 as Substitute of Ab7

Ab7sus4 can be used as a substitute for Ab7 in major and minor keys. In the Db major key, Ab7 can be replaced with Ab7sus4 in the V position. Similarly, in the Bb minor key, Ab7 can be substituted with Ab7sus4 in the VII position which is the leading tone chord.

 

on Major Scales

• Dominant chord in Db Major

 

on Natural minor Scales

• Leading tone chord in Bb minor

 

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Ab7sus4 as Substitute of Ab min7

Ab7sus4 chord can be used as a substitute for Ab minor 7th in various major and minor keys. However, some of these scales fall under the category of theoretical keys.

A theoretical key refers to a key that exists in music theory but is not commonly used in practice due to its impracticality. It involves a key signature that would require the use of at least one double-flat or double-sharp, which can make reading and notating the music more challenging.

To make things simpler and more practical, it is generally recommended to use their enharmonic equivalent keys instead.

 

on Major Scales

• Supertonic chord in Gb Major
• Mediant chord in E Major as G#7sus4
• Submediant chord in B Major as G#7sus4

 

on Natural minor Scales

• Tonic chord in Ab minor
• Subdominant chord in Eb minor
• Dominant chord in C# minor as G#7sus4

 

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Ab7sus4 Chord Function in Major and Minor Keys

Understanding Scale Degrees

When creating chords from a scale, each note in the scale is assigned a degree, which reflects its position in the scale. In the diatonic major scale, there are seven degrees, and each degree has a unique role in the overall harmony of the scale.

1. The first degree of the scale is called the Tonic, and it serves as the foundation for the scale. It provides a stable tonal center and is often referred to as the “home base” of the music.
2. The second degree of the scale is called the Supertonic. It’s typically used as a passing note between the tonic and other scale degrees, and it adds a sense of movement to the melody or harmony.
3. The third degree of the scale is called the Mediant. It’s located halfway between the tonic and dominant notes and helps to establish whether the scale is major or minor.
4. The fourth degree of the scale is called the Subdominant. It’s often used as a complementary harmony to the dominant and adds a sense of tension and resolution to the music.
5. The fifth degree of the scale is called the Dominant. It generates tension and a sense of expectation, and it’s typically resolved by returning to the tonic.
6. The sixth degree of the scale is called the Submediant. It’s often utilized as a transition between the dominant and tonic, and it provides a sense of stability and restfulness to the music.
7. The seventh degree of the scale is called the Leading tone. It’s located one half step below the tonic and produces a strong sense of tension and a desire to resolve to the tonic. It’s often used to create a sense of resolution and finality in the melody or harmony.

Understanding the scale degrees is important for creating chords and understanding how they relate harmonically to each other.

 

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Ab7sus4 in Db Major

In the key of Db Major, the fifth degree is Ab7. However, by playing an Ab7sus4 chord instead, you can create a sense of tension and expectation, which can then be resolved by returning to the dominant chord or to another degree of the scale.

 

Ab7sus4 as V degree – Chord Progressions

ii V I

You can experiment with different ways of playing the Ab7sus4 chord in the key of Db Major. For example, you could play just the Ab7sus4 chord, or split the measure in half and play both the Ab7sus4 and Ab7 chords. Another option is to invert the order of the chords, playing the Ab7 chord first and then resolving to the Ab7sus4 chord.

I IV V

 

 I V vi IV

 

I IV vi V

 

 I IV ii V iii vi ii V

 

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Ab7sus4 in Bb Minor

In the key of Bb minor, the seventh degree features an Ab7 chord. Adding an Ab7sus4 chord can create a sense of anticipation and tension, preparing the listener for the resolution to the tonic chord. You can experiment with playing just the Ab7sus4 chord or combining it with the Ab7 chord.

 

Ab7sus4 as VII degree – Chord Progressions

i VI VII

 

i v VI VII

 

i III VII VI

 

Circle Progression

 

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Ab7sus4 in Gb Major

In the context of Gb Major key, the second chord in the key is typically an Ab minor chord. However, incorporating an Ab7sus4 chord instead of Abm can add some variation and tonal interest to a chord progression.

 

Ab7sus4 Chord Progressions as ii degree

ii V I

 

I IV ii V iii vi ii V

 

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Ab7sus4 in Fb Major

Check G#7sus4 in E Major

 

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Ab7sus4 in Cb Major

Check G#7sus4 in B Major

 

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Ab7sus4 in Ab Minor

When using the Ab7sus4 chord in the key of Ab minor, it can serve as a variation of the traditional Abm chord.

 

Ab7sus4 Chord Progressions as i degree

i VI VII

 

i iv VI VII

 

 

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Ab7sus4 in Eb Minor

When playing in the key of Eb minor, you can try using the Ab7sus4 chord as a substitution or variation for the Ab major chord on the IV degree.

 

Ab7sus4 Chord Progressions as iv degree

iv III VI VII

 

i iv VI v

 

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Ab7sus4 in Db Minor

Check G#7sus4 in C# minor

 

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Alternative Names for Ab7sus4 Chord

• Ab7sus4
• Ab7sus(4)
• Ab7 add4(no3)
• Ab7 add4(omit3)
• Ab Dominant Suspended 4th

 

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