All 5 ways to play Eb7 on guitar
-
xx1323 at the 1st fret -
xx1023 open position -
x68686 at the 6th fret -
xxx889 at the 8th fret -
11-13-11-12-11-11 at the 11th fret
Diagrams: strings run from the lowest on the left; X = don't play, O = open string, numbers = fingers (1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little finger).
How to play Eb7 on guitar
Main shape: xx1323 (at the 1st fret).
- Put your index finger (1) on the 1st fret of the D (4th) string.
- Put your ring finger (3) on the 3rd fret of the G (3rd) string.
- Put your middle finger (2) on the 2nd fret of the B (2nd) string.
- Put your little finger (4) on the 3rd fret of the high E (1st) string.
- Don't play the low E (6th) or A (5th) strings (marked X).
- Strum from the D (4th) string down (4 strings).
Eb7 notes and intervals
| Note | Formula | Interval from the root |
|---|---|---|
| E♭ | 1 | root |
| G | 3 | major 3rd |
| B♭ | 5 | perfect 5th |
| D♭ | ♭7 | minor 7th |
Inversions: the same notes with another one in the bass, written as slash chords: E♭7/G (1st inversion), E♭7/B♭ (2nd inversion) and E♭7/D♭ (3rd inversion).
Eb7 on piano and ukulele
-
E♭7 on piano E♭ – G – B♭ – D♭ -
E♭7 on ukulele 3334
Which keys use Eb7?
E♭7 is one of the basic chords of 2 keys. Its number (Roman numeral) and job change with the key:
| Key | Written | Numeral | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| A♭ major | E♭7 | V7 | dominant |
| F minor | E♭7 | VII7 | dominant |
| G♯ minor | D♯7 | V7 | dominant (harmonic minor) |
Progressions with Eb7
- ii–V–I in A♭ major: B♭m7 – E♭7 – A♭maj7 A cadence that is extremely common in jazz.
- 12-bar blues in B♭ major: B♭7 – B♭7 – B♭7 – B♭7 – E♭7 – E♭7 – B♭7 – B♭7 – F7 – E♭7 – B♭7 – F7 Twelve bars of I, IV and V with dominant 7th chords: one of the most prominent progressions in popular music.
- iiø–V–i in G♯ minor: A♯m7♭5 – D♯7 – G♯m7 The minor ii–V–i of jazz.