E♭ major seventh (E♭maj7) chord on banjo

The E♭ major seventh chord (E♭maj7) is a major seventh chord (a major triad plus a major seventh), made of four notes: E♭ – G – B♭ – D. The same chord with a different spelling: D♯ major seventh (D♯maj7).

Dots show:

Basic shapeeasy

Open positioneasy

Position 8easy

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What the E♭maj7 chord sounds like

The major seventh chord sounds soft, dreamy and a little jazzy. The major seventh sits a half step below the root, so it rubs gently against it without needing to resolve.

Notes of the E♭maj7 chord

Degree	Note	Interval from the root
1	E♭	root
3	G	major third (4 semitones)
5	B♭	perfect fifth (7 semitones) – often omitted on fretted instruments
7	D	major seventh (11 semitones)

How to play it – with fingering

Basic shape

String 1 (D): open (D4)
String 2 (B): fret 4, index finger (E♭4)
String 3 (G): open (G3)
String 4 (D): open (D3)

Open position

String 1 (D): open (D4)
String 2 (B): fret 3, ring finger (D4)
String 3 (G): open (G3)
String 4 (D): fret 1, index finger (E♭3)

Position 8

String 1 (D): fret 8, ring finger (B♭4)
String 2 (B): fret 8, middle finger (G4)
String 3 (G): fret 8, index finger (E♭4)
String 4 (D): open (D3)

Five-string banjo in open G tuning (g D G B D). The diagram shows the four long strings; the short 5th string (g) rings open – avoid it when G is not in the chord. In the diagram, × means the string is not played, and a circle means an open string.

Which keys is it in?

The E♭maj7 chord is built from the notes of these keys (for minor keys, both the natural and the harmonic minor are considered):

E♭ major: Imaj7 (tonic)
B♭ major: IVmaj7 (subdominant)
C minor: IIImaj7
G minor: VImaj7

Similar chords and substitutes

If E♭maj7 is too hard, or you want a different colour in the same spot, these chords are worth a try.

Substitutes (by function)

Cm7 – relative minor seventh: three shared notes
Gm7 – mediant minor seventh: three shared notes
E♭6 – another tonic colour, more vintage and swingy

Simpler versions

E♭ – all 3 of its notes are in this chord

Richer versions

E♭maj9 – the same chord plus 1 colour note

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the E♭maj7 chord?

E♭, G, B♭, D. The root is E♭; the intervals of the other notes from the root: major third, perfect fifth, major seventh.

What is the easiest way to play E♭maj7 on banjo?

The easiest shape above is “Basic shape”, rated easy. We show 3 shapes, from open and easy versions to movable barre shapes higher up the neck.

How do I read the chord diagram?

Strings run from the lowest (left) to the highest (right) – tick “Left-handed” to mirror it. Rows are frets; a number at the side shows the starting fret. Dots are fingers (1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little), a long bar is a barre, × means don't play that string and ○ means play it open.

Why is a note missing from some E♭maj7 shapes?

On a fretted instrument you can't always play every note of a 4-note chord. The fifth (B♭) may be dropped – the chord keeps its character without it.

How is the E♭maj7 chord written?

The chord symbol is E♭maj7 (also written Ebmaj7), and its full name is E♭ major seventh.