Scale degrees · A♭ major

The ♯4 of A♭ is D

The ♯4 (sharp four, written #4) of A♭ (A flat, Ab) is D: an augmented fourth above the root.

A♭ — the root, 1D — the ♯4

How to find it

Count letters first, the root included: A, B, C, D. A 4th lands on D.

Then the sound: an augmented fourth is 6 semitones above A♭, which is exactly where D is — no sharp or flat needed.

Where you meet it

The ♯4 is the Lydian note, a tritone above the root. On a chord symbol it is usually written ♯11.

In the scale A♭ Lydian:

A♭ · B♭ · C · D · E♭ · F · G

The ♯4 in every key

KeyThe ♯4
CF♯
GC♯
DG♯
AD♯
EA♯
BE♯
F♯B♯
D♭G
A♭D
E♭A
B♭E
FB

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