E♭ minor seventh (E♭m7) chord on piano

Minor seventh chord (a minor triad plus a minor seventh) on E♭: the notes of the E♭m7 chord are E♭ – G♭ – B♭ – D♭. The same chord with a different spelling: D♯ minor seventh (D♯m7).

Root position: E♭4 – G♭4 – B♭4 – D♭5

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What the E♭m7 chord sounds like

A minor seventh chord is softer than a plain minor chord – the minor seventh fills out the sound. In jazz it is the ii of the ii–V–I, in pop and soul a common colour chord.

Notes of the E♭m7 chord

Degree	Note	Interval from the root
1	E♭	root
3	G♭	minor third (3 semitones)
5	B♭	perfect fifth (7 semitones)
7	D♭	minor seventh (10 semitones)

Root position and inversions

An inversion uses the same notes, with a different note at the bottom. When you change chords, choosing the nearest inversion keeps your hand almost still.

Root position

E♭4 – G♭4 – B♭4 – D♭5

1st inversion

G♭4 – B♭4 – D♭5 – E♭5

2nd inversion

B♭4 – D♭5 – E♭5 – G♭5

3rd inversion

D♭5 – E♭5 – G♭5 – B♭5

Which keys is it in?

The E♭m7 chord is built from the notes of these keys (for minor keys, both the natural and the harmonic minor are considered):

E♭ minor: i7 (tonic)
B♭ minor: iv7 (subdominant)
G♭ major: vi7
D♭ major: ii7

Similar chords and substitutes

If E♭m7 is too hard, or you want a different colour in the same spot, these chords are worth a try.

Substitutes (by function)

F♯maj7 – relative major seventh: three shared notes
A♭7 – in a ii–V, this is the dominant that follows

Same notes

F♯6 – the same notes with a different root

Simpler versions

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

Richer versions

E♭m9 – the same chord plus 1 colour note

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the E♭m7 chord?

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

How do I play the E♭m7 chord on piano?

In root position, the right hand usually plays with fingers 1, 3 and 5 (thumb, middle finger, little finger); four-note chords with fingers 1, 2, 3 and 5. The left hand mirrors this: 5, 3, 1. In an inversion the top or bottom note moves to the other side, so your hand moves less when you change chords.

How is the E♭m7 chord written?

The chord symbol is E♭m7 (also written Ebm7), and its full name is E♭ minor seventh.