Chord chart for A♭5 / E♭ (1st inversion) Guitar Chord: Notes, Shapes & Bass Note | Guitar Wiz

A♭5/E♭ guitar shapes

Popular fretboard positions with fingering suggestions

Showing 8 of 44 playable shapes

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A♭5 / E♭ (1st inversion) guitar chord diagram showing fretboard positions

About the chord

A♭5 / E♭ (1st inversion)

A♭5/E♭ is the A♭5 / E♭ (1st inversion) guitar chord with E♭ in the bass. It uses the notes A♭ and E♭ and the interval formula 1-5.

The A♭5 power chord (5th), consisting of the root (A♭5) and perfect fifth E♭, provides a bold, open sound without major or minor coloration. Its simplicity and neutrality make it a staple in rock, punk, and metal for driving rhythms and raw power. With E♭ in the bass, this voicing functions as the 1st inversion of A♭5.

Also written as A♭5 and A♭(no 3)/E♭.

Root note: A♭
Bass note: E♭
Chord tones: 2
Playable shapes: 44

Chord tones

A♭E♭

Common guitar voicings

These are quick-start shapes for players who want the answer first and the deeper theory second.

Shape xx1144

xx1144

View shape
  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 4th string.
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 1st fret of the 3rd string.
  3. 3 Place the 4th finger on the 4th fret of the 1st string and 2nd string in barre position.
  4. 4 Strum from the 4th string down.

Shape xx11xx

xx11xx

View shape
  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 4th string.
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 1st fret of the 3rd string.
  3. 3 Strum from the 4th string down.

Notes & Intervals

Each note below shows how the chord is built from its root. This is the theory layer underneath the fretboard shapes.

A♭ Unison (Root) 1

The root anchors the chord and defines its tonal center.

E♭ Perfect Fifth 5

The fifth reinforces stability and gives the chord its strong harmonic frame.

Shape details

Every shape is shown with its diagram and exact fingering instructions.

A♭5/E♭ shape xx1144

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 4th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 1st fret of the 3rd string
  3. 3 Place the 4th finger on the 4th fret of the 1st string and 2nd string in barre position
  4. 4 Do not play the sixth and fifth strings
  5. 5 Strum from the fourth string down to the first string

A♭5/E♭ shape xx11xx

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 4th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 1st fret of the 3rd string
  3. 3 Do not play the sixth, fifth, second, and first strings
  4. 4 Strum from the fourth string down to the third string

A♭5/E♭ shape xxxx44

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 4th fret of the 2nd string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 4th fret of the 1st string
  3. 3 Do not play the sixth, fifth, fourth, and third strings
  4. 4 Strum from the second string down to the first string

A♭5/E♭ shape x66xxx

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 6th fret of the 5th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 6th fret of the 4th string
  3. 3 Do not play the sixth, third, second, and first strings
  4. 4 Strum from the fifth string down to the fourth string

A♭5/E♭ shape x66x4x

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 4th fret of the 2nd string
  2. 2 Place the 3rd finger on the 6th fret of the 5th string
  3. 3 Place the 4th finger on the 6th fret of the 4th string
  4. 4 Do not play the sixth, third, and first strings
  5. 5 Strum from the fifth string down to the second string

A♭5/E♭ shape x6xxx4

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 4th fret of the 1st string
  2. 2 Place the 3rd finger on the 6th fret of the 5th string
  3. 3 Do not play the sixth, fourth, third, and second strings
  4. 4 Strum from the fifth string down to the first string

A♭5/E♭ shape x66xx4

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 4th fret of the 1st string
  2. 2 Place the 3rd finger on the 6th fret of the 5th string
  3. 3 Place the 4th finger on the 6th fret of the 4th string
  4. 4 Do not play the sixth, third, and second strings
  5. 5 Strum from the fifth string down to the first string

A♭5/E♭ shape x6xx44

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 4th fret of the 2nd string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 4th fret of the 1st string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 6th fret of the 5th string
  4. 4 Do not play the sixth, fourth, and third strings
  5. 5 Strum from the fifth string down to the first string

Quick answers

What notes are in A♭5/E♭?

A♭5/E♭ uses the notes A♭ and E♭. Its interval formula is 1-5.

What is another name for A♭5/E♭?

A♭5/E♭ is also written as A♭5 and A♭(no 3)/E♭.

How do you play A♭5/E♭ on guitar?

Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 4th string. Place the 2nd finger on the 1st fret of the 3rd string. Place the 4th finger on the 4th fret of the 1st string and 2nd string in barre position. Strum from the 4th string down.

Related Articles

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