E♭ minor (E♭m) chord on mandolin

Minor triad on E♭: the notes of the E♭m chord are E♭ – G♭ – B♭. The same chord with a different spelling: D♯ minor (D♯m).

Dots show:

Basic shapeeasy

Position 3medium

Position 6medium

Position 8medium

Tap a string on a diagram to hear just that string. The sound is generated in your browser with a physical string model.

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What the E♭m chord sounds like

A minor triad differs from a major one only in the third: it has a minor third, which gives it a darker, sadder colour. In a major key, chords ii, iii and vi are minor.

Notes of the E♭m chord

Degree	Note	Interval from the root
1	E♭	root
3	G♭	minor third (3 semitones)
5	B♭	perfect fifth (7 semitones)

How to play it – with fingering

Basic shape, barre at fret 1

String 1 (E): fret 2, middle finger (G♭5)
String 2 (A): fret 1, index finger (B♭4)
String 3 (D): fret 1, index finger (E♭4)
String 4 (G): fret 3, ring finger (B♭3)

For the barre, lay your index finger flat across all the marked strings at fret 1; your other fingers press the higher frets.

Position 3

String 1 (E): fret 6, little finger (B♭5)
String 2 (A): fret 6, little finger (E♭5)
String 3 (D): fret 4, middle finger (G♭4)
String 4 (G): fret 3, index finger (B♭3)

Position 6

String 1 (E): fret 6, index finger (B♭5)
String 2 (A): fret 9, little finger (G♭5)
String 3 (D): fret 8, ring finger (B♭4)
String 4 (G): fret 8, ring finger (E♭4)

Tuning: G D A E, like a violin; every note is a pair of strings that you fret together. In the diagram, × means the string is not played, and a circle means an open string.

Which keys is it in?

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

E♭ minor: i (tonic)
B♭ minor: iv (subdominant)
G♭ major: vi
D♭ major: ii

Similar chords and substitutes

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

Substitutes (by function)

F♯ – relative major: two shared notes
B – the major chord a major third below: two shared notes
E♭m7 – a fuller, softer minor colour

Richer versions

E♭m7 – the same chord plus 1 colour note
E♭m6 – the same chord plus 1 colour note
E♭m9 – the same chord plus 2 colour notes

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the E♭m chord?

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

What is the easiest way to play E♭m on mandolin?

The easiest shape above is “Basic shape”, rated easy. We show 4 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.

How is the E♭m chord written?

The chord symbol is E♭m (also written Ebm), and its full name is E♭ minor.