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

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).

Root position: E♭4 – G4 – B♭4 – D5

Chord finder Transposer

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)
7	D	major seventh (11 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 – G4 – B♭4 – D5

1st inversion

G4 – B♭4 – D5 – E♭5

2nd inversion

B♭4 – D5 – E♭5 – G5

3rd inversion

D5 – E♭5 – G5 – B♭5

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.

How do I play the E♭maj7 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♭maj7 chord written?

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