Ways to play E♭m
Lowest on the neck first. Tap a shape to put it on the fretboard above and hear it. The numbers are fingers (1 is your index), × means leave that string out, and ○ means let it ring open.
What's in E♭m
A minor chord lowers the 3rd by a half step: root, minor 3rd (three half steps) and perfect 5th. E♭ minor is E♭, G♭ and B♭. Next to E♭ major, the only note that moves is the 3rd, G down to G♭.
| Note | Formula | Interval from E♭ |
|---|---|---|
| E♭ | 1 | Root |
| G♭ | ♭3 | Minor 3rd |
| B♭ | 5 | Perfect 5th |
Darker and more inward than major. In a major key the ii, iii and vi chords are minor; in a minor key the i and usually the iv are.
The key of E♭ minor
Six flats, the same pitches as D♯ minor. On guitar it is almost always barres or a capo.
The seven chords built from the E♭ minor scale:
Keys that use E♭m
Every major and minor key whose scale contains all of E♭, G♭ and B♭, and the chord's Roman numeral in each.
| Key | E♭m is the |
|---|---|
| E♭ minor | i |
| B♭ minor | iv |
| G♯ minor | v |
| D♭ major | ii |
| F♯ major | vi |
| B major | iii |
Progressions to try
i–iv–v in E♭ minor
Minor-key blues and folk. Swap the v for a major V when you want a stronger pull home.
i–VI–III–VII in E♭ minor
The minor-key cousin of I–V–vi–IV: the same four chords, started from the minor one.
Related chords
The relative major is F♯, which shares its key signature. The parallel major is E♭, same root with the 3rd raised.
Other chords on E♭: