E♭ major (E♭) chord on piano

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

Root position: E♭4 – G4 – B♭4

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What the E♭ chord sounds like

A major triad sounds stable and bright: root, major third and perfect fifth. Most songs are built on major chords – in a major key, chords I, IV and V are all major.

Notes of the E♭ chord

Degree	Note	Interval from the root
1	E♭	root
3	G	major third (4 semitones)
5	B♭	perfect fifth (7 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

1st inversion

G4 – B♭4 – E♭5

2nd inversion

B♭4 – E♭5 – G5

Which keys is it in?

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

E♭ major: I (tonic)
A♭ major: V (dominant)
B♭ major: IV (subdominant)
F minor: VII
C minor: III
G minor: VI

Similar chords and substitutes

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

Substitutes (by function)

Cm – relative minor: two shared notes, a common stand-in for the tonic
Gm – mediant minor (iii): two shared notes
E♭maj7 – a softer, jazzier tonic colour
E♭sus4 – suspended version that resolves back to this chord

Richer versions

E♭7 – the same chord plus 1 colour note
E♭maj7 – the same chord plus 1 colour note
E♭6 – the same chord plus 1 colour note
E♭add9 – the same chord plus 1 colour note

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the E♭ chord?

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

How do I play the E♭ 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♭ chord written?

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