Guitar arpeggio
Ab Dominant 7 Guitar Arpeggio
Ab Dominant 7 is a four-note seventh-chord arpeggio built from Ab, C, Eb, and Gb. It is also commonly called Ab Dominant Seventh and Ab7. Use it to study chord tones, interval formulas, and guitar fretboard positions.
- Chord tones
- Ab, C, Eb, Gb
- Formula
- 1 3 5 b7
- Semitones
- 0 4 7 10
- Chord symbols
- Ab7
- Also called
- Ab Dominant SeventhAb7
How to read this arpeggio
The chord tones are shown as pitch classes first. In the fretboard tool, square markers represent Ab root notes, while circular markers represent the remaining tones in the arpeggio.
Use the interactive fretboard to locate the Ab root notes and connect the remaining dominant 7 chord tones across standard tuning.
This same arpeggio shape is also commonly called Ab Dominant Seventh or Ab7.
Chord construction and defining tones
Ab dominant 7 is defined by 3 (C) and b7 (Gb). The major third and flat seventh form the tritone that gives a dominant chord its directional tension.
Harmonic use
Use this arpeggio over Ab7, especially when the chord resolves down a fifth or up a fourth to its tonic.
Practice this arpeggio on guitar
- Play the Ab Dominant 7 arpeggio from one Ab root to the next in at least two fretboard positions, saying each note name and interval degree aloud.
- Play 3 (C) and b7 (Gb) as a two-note guide-tone shape in every position, then add the root and fifth around it.
- Outline Ab7 and resolve its third and flat seventh by semitone into the next chord when possible.
Fretboard diagram
Open this arpeggio in the fretboard tool
Start with Ab Dominant 7 loaded, then adjust tuning, labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.
Open in interactive fretboard