Ebmaj7 Piano Chord

Ebmaj7 is the E flat major seventh chord. It has four notes: E flat, G, B flat and D. The root and the fifth are black keys; the third and the seventh are white.

Ebmaj7 piano chord diagram, root position, E♭ G B♭ D

E♭ at the bottom, then G and B♭ and D. Right hand 1-2-3-5, left hand 5-3-2-1. The black keys are E♭ and B♭.

How to play Ebmaj7 on piano, step by step

  1. Start on the E♭ above middle C. That is the lowest note of the chord.
  2. Thumb (1): E♭
  3. Index finger (2): G
  4. Middle finger (3): B♭
  5. Little finger (5): D
  6. Press them together with the right hand. The left hand plays the same notes with fingers 5, 3, 2, 1 an octave lower, or just E♭ on its own as a bass note.

The fingers alternate between black and white keys. Settle the hand at a middle depth rather than moving it in and out for each note.

Inversions of Ebmaj7

The same 4 notes with a different one at the bottom. All of them are Ebmaj7; which you play depends on what the hand is coming from. Tap any card to hear it.

First inversionG B♭ D E♭
Ebmaj7 piano chord diagram, first inversion, G B♭ D E♭
Lighter than root position and less final. A third in the bass tips the chord forward, which is why it usually sits between two other chords rather than at the end of a line.
Second inversionB♭ D E♭ G
Ebmaj7 piano chord diagram, second inversion, B♭ D E♭ G
Open and slightly unresolved. A fifth in the bass makes the chord sound like a step on the way somewhere, which is mostly how it is used.
Third inversionD E♭ G B♭
Ebmaj7 piano chord diagram, third inversion, D E♭ G B♭
The most restless of the four. The seventh is the note that wants to move, and putting it underneath the whole chord makes that pull impossible to miss.

If it sounds wrong

The top note is D flat
That gives Eb7, which pulls toward A flat. Ebmaj7 needs D natural, the white key.
The hand rocks in and out
Two black keys and two white ones alternating is the least stable shape on the keyboard. Park the hand in the middle and let the fingertips travel.
The middle note is wrong
G is a white key. If the chord sounds off, check that finger before the black ones.

What makes it an Ebmaj7

E♭ · G · B♭ · D 1 3 5 7

Ebmaj7 is an E flat major triad, E flat G B flat, with a D added: the major seventh.

It is the I chord of E flat major and the IV of B flat. Both are horn keys, so this chord belongs to jazz, soul and gospel.

Ebmaj7 vs Eb

Ebmaj7 is E flat major with a D on top. The plain triad is final; the seventh is soft and unhurried.

In soul and gospel the seventh is usually what is played, since a bare triad sounds thin next to the fuller chords around it.

Ebmaj7 in major keys

Every note of Ebmaj7 sits inside these keys. See how it works alongside the other chords in each one.

Questions about Ebmaj7

Which notes are in an Ebmaj7 chord on piano?

E flat, G, B flat and D. E flat and B flat are black keys; G and D are white.

What fingers do you use for Ebmaj7?

Right hand: thumb on E flat, index on G, middle on B flat, little finger on D. Left hand: 5, 3, 2, 1.

What is the difference between Ebmaj7 and Eb7?

The top note. Ebmaj7 has D natural and rests; Eb7 has D flat and pulls toward A flat.

Is Ebmaj7 hard on piano?

The alternating black and white keys take a moment to settle, but the span is comfortable.

Where is the Ebmaj7 chord used?

As the I chord in E flat and the IV in B flat. Jazz, soul and gospel use it constantly.

Chords to learn next

Other Eb chords