Scale degrees · A♭ major
The 2 of A♭ is B♭
The 2 (two) of A♭ (A flat, Ab) is B♭ (B flat): a major second above the root.
A♭ — the root, 1B♭ — the 2
How to find it
Count letters first, the root included: A, B. A 2nd lands on B.
Then the sound: a major second is 2 semitones above A♭, and the B that is 2 semitones up is B♭.
That is why it is B♭ and not A♯: A♯ is the same key on the piano, but from A♭ it would be an unison, not a 2nd.
Where you meet it
The 2 is a whole step above the root. An octave up it is called the 9 — the same note, B♭ — and it is the first colour most players add to a chord.
In A♭add9:
A♭ · C · E♭ · B♭
The 2 in every key
| Key | The 2 |
|---|---|
| C | D |
| G | A |
| D | E |
| A | B |
| E | F♯ |
| B | C♯ |
| F♯ | G♯ |
| D♭ | E♭ |
| A♭ | B♭ |
| E♭ | F |
| B♭ | C |
| F | G |
Every degree of A♭
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