Guitar arpeggio

Ab Minor-Major 7 Guitar Arpeggio

Ab Minor-Major 7 is a four-note seventh-chord arpeggio built from Ab, Cb, Eb, and G. It is also commonly called Ab Minor Major 7 and AbmMaj7. Use it to study chord tones, interval formulas, and guitar fretboard positions.

Chord tones
Ab, Cb, Eb, G
Formula
1 b3 5 7
Semitones
0 3 7 11
Chord symbols
AbmMaj7, AbmM7
Also called
Ab Minor Major 7AbmMaj7

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 minor-major 7 chord tones across standard tuning.

This same arpeggio shape is also commonly called Ab Minor Major 7 or AbmMaj7.

Chord construction and defining tones

b3Cb
7G

Ab minor-major 7 is defined by b3 (Cb) and 7 (G). The minor third and major seventh combine minor quality with a strong leading-tone pull.

Harmonic use

Use this arpeggio over AbmMaj7, minor chords with a natural seventh, and tonic-minor sounds drawn from harmonic or melodic minor.

Practice this arpeggio on guitar

  1. Play the Ab Minor-Major 7 arpeggio from one Ab root to the next in at least two fretboard positions, saying each note name and interval degree aloud.
  2. Alternate b3 (Cb) and 7 (G) against the root and hear the contrast between the minor third and major seventh.
  3. Improvise over AbmMaj7 and resolve the major seventh upward while keeping the minor third prominent.

Fretboard diagram

Ab Minor-Major 7 Guitar Arpeggio fretboard diagram in standard tuning
Ab Minor-Major 7 Guitar Arpeggio fretboard diagram in standard tuning.

Open this arpeggio in the fretboard tool

Start with Ab Minor-Major 7 loaded, then adjust tuning, labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.

Open in interactive fretboard

Arpeggio diagrams by tuning