Chords in the Key of E♭ Minor (Eb)
The key of Eb minor is built on the notes Eb – F – Gb – Ab – Bb – Cb – Db. Every chord below is drawn from that scale, so they all sound at home together.
The seven chords in Eb minor
| Numeral | Chord | Notes | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| i | Ebm | Eb Gb Bb | Minor |
| ii° | Fdim | F Ab Cb | Diminished |
| III | Gb | Gb Bb Db | Major |
| iv | Abm | Ab Cb Eb | Minor |
| v | Bbm | Bb Db F | Minor |
| VI | Cb | Cb Eb Gb | Major |
| VII | Db | Db F Ab | Major |
Seventh chords in Eb minor
Adding the next third on top of each triad gives the seventh chords of the key — the harmonic vocabulary most jazz and soul writing starts from.
| Numeral | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| i7 | Ebm7 | Eb Gb Bb Db |
| iiø7 | Fm7b5 | F Ab Cb Eb |
| IIImaj7 | Gbmaj7 | Gb Bb Db F |
| iv7 | Abm7 | Ab Cb Eb Gb |
| v7 | Bbm7 | Bb Db F Ab |
| VImaj7 | Cbmaj7 | Cb Eb Gb Bb |
| VII7 | Db7 | Db F Ab Cb |
Common chord progressions in Eb minor
| Numerals | Chords in Eb minor | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| i – VI – III – VII | Ebm – Cb – Gb – Db | A bright, anthemic minor progression. |
| i – iv – v | Ebm – Abm – Bbm | The natural-minor equivalent of the classic cadence. |
| i – VII – VI – VII | Ebm – Db – Cb – Db | A modal, folk-leaning loop. |
| i – iv – VII – III | Ebm – Abm – Db – Gb | Moves toward the relative major for a lift. |
Relative major key
Eb minor shares all of its notes with Gb major, so switching between the two changes the mood of a piece without changing a single note. Gb major and F# major are the same pitches written two ways; this reference files that key under F# major.
Scale reference
See the full Eb Natural Minor scale for its fingering, key signature, degrees and step pattern. The same key is also written D# minor.
Other scales for this key: Eb harmonic minor, Eb melodic minor, Eb minor pentatonic and Eb blues.
Other keys
Frequently asked questions
What chords are in the key of Eb minor?
The key of Eb minor contains Ebm, Fdim, Gb, Abm, Bbm, Cb, Db. These are the triads built on each degree of the Eb minor scale.
What is the relative major of Eb minor?
The relative major of Eb minor is Gb major. Both keys use exactly the same notes but resolve to a different tonic. Gb major and F# major are the same pitches spelled two ways; this reference files that key under F# major.
How many sharps or flats does Eb minor have?
The Eb minor scale is spelled Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, Cb, Db, which gives it 0 sharps and 6 flats.