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Eb Minor Chord

Ebm places a minor third (G flat) between E flat and B flat. It is i in its own minor key, while the same notes can serve as vi in the relative major.

  • Notes: E flat-G flat-B flat
  • Symbol: Ebm
  • i in Eb minor
  • Minor third
Switch chordEbm

How to play an Eb minor chord

Notes: Eb - Gb - Bb · symbol Ebm

  • Root position

    Eb - Gb - Bb
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-3-5 · Left 5-3-1

  • 1st inversion

    Gb - Bb - Eb
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-5 · Left 5-3-1

  • 2nd inversion

    Bb - Eb - Gb
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-3-5 · Left 5-2-1

Where does Eb minor belong?

The three notes come from the E flat minor scale, so this chord can act as its home base.
Play the role cards to hear how its surrounding chords change the job it does; Diatonic Chords explains the basic numbered roles.

  • In Eb minorHome
    i

    The resting point of Eb minor. The major V before it makes the return feel final.

    EbmiAbmivBbVEbmi
  • In Gb majorThe relative minor
    vi

    Same notes as Gb major, a darker color. The vi in countless pop songs.

    GbIEbmviCbIVDbV
  • In Db majorThe start of ii-V-I
    ii

    The first step of the most common move in jazz, heading to Db.

    EbmiiAbVDbI
  • In B majorA soft stand-in
    iii

    It shares two notes with B, so it can replace the I without leaving home. In this key the chord is spelled D#m.

    BID#miiiEIVF#V

Progressions to try

  • EbmAbmBbEbm

    The major V gives this minor-key return a clear pull into Ebm.

  • EbmCbGbDb

    The bVI and bVII chords keep the loop moving without the strong V-to-i return.

  • GbEbmCbDb

    Here Ebm is vi in Gb major, a relative-minor turn away from the major tonic.

  • EbmAbDb

    Ebm begins a ii-V-I in Db major; follow the bass as it reaches the final chord.

Which shape should you use?

On guitar, start with x68876, a barre at the 6th fret. Press the barred notes evenly and mute any strings marked x. The 11-13-13-11-11-11 shape gives you another position when the neighboring chords sit elsewhere on the neck.

On ukulele, start with 3321, played at the 1st fret. The 8666 grip moves the chord to another register.

On piano, play E flat-G flat-B flat. Move E flat up an octave to reach the first inversion, G flat-B flat-E flat; the notes remain the same while the lowest voice changes.

What are the inversions?

E flat is the root, G flat the minor third three semitones above it, and B flat the fifth seven semitones above it.

  • Root position: E flat-G flat-B flat, with E flat lowest.
  • First inversion: G flat-B flat-E flat, written Ebm/Gb if G flat is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Second inversion: B flat-E flat-G flat, written Ebm/Bb if B flat is lowest in the whole arrangement.

A slash chord names the note in the bass, not merely the lowest note under one hand. Chord Inversions shows how to read that distinction.

How does Eb major differ?

Keep E flat and B flat in place, then raise G flat to G. That single change turns Ebm into Eb. Try that one-note change on piano, then use the comparer to hear it in the full chord. See Eb for the other chord's full spelling and roles.

  • Ebm

    Eb - Gb - Bb
    C4

    Eb minor

  • Eb

    Eb - G - Bb
    C4

    Eb major

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