Ebm7 Chord (Eb minor 7th) on Guitar
Ebm7 (Eb minor 7th) is made of the notes Eb – Gb – Bb – Db. The easiest guitar fingering is x68676 (low E to high e; x = muted, 0 = open). It uses a barre, so it is more demanding than an open chord. Expect it to take some practice to sound clean.
Main shape
Alternative shape
Higher position
How to play Ebm7
- Press the 5th string (A) at fret 6 (Eb).
- Press the 4th string (D) at fret 8 (Bb).
- Press the 3rd string (G) at fret 6 (Db).
- Press the 2nd string (B) at fret 7 (Gb).
- Press the 1st string (high e) at fret 6 (Bb).
- Do not play the 6th string (low E).
| String | Fret | Note | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6th string (low E) | x (mute) | - | |
| 5th string (A) | 6 | Eb | R |
| 4th string (D) | 8 | Bb | 5 |
| 3rd string (G) | 6 | Db | b7 |
| 2nd string (B) | 7 | Gb | b3 |
| 1st string (high e) | 6 | Bb | 5 |
What is a Eb minor 7th chord?
A minor 7th chord is a minor triad with a minor seventh added on top.
Notes and formula. Ebm7 contains Eb, Gb, Bb, Db. Counted from the root Eb, that is R (root), b3 (minor 3rd), 5 (perfect 5th), b7 (minor 7th). It is also written D#m7; the two names sound identical and the name used depends on the key of the song.
Sound. Mellow, warm and relaxed. It is minor without the sadness of a plain minor triad.
Where it is used. Everywhere in funk, soul, R&B, jazz and lo-fi. It is the ii chord in jazz ii-V-I progressions and a common substitute for the plain minor chord.
Tips for playing Ebm7
Many minor 7th shapes are easier than the minor chord itself because they lift a finger. Try swapping Am for Am7 in a song you know.
Common mistake: Treating m7 and maj7 as the same. The "m" means the third is minor; the 7 means the seventh is a minor seventh.
Keys that contain Ebm7
Ebm7 is a diatonic chord, meaning it occurs naturally without accidentals, in these keys:
- C# major – ii chord
- F# major – vi chord
- B major – iii chord
- Bb minor – iv chord
- Eb minor – i chord
- Ab minor – v chord
Try it in a progression: browse chord progressions for every key.
Scales to play over Ebm7
Related chords
Ebm7 chord FAQ
What notes are in a Ebm7 chord?
Ebm7 (Eb minor 7th) contains the notes Eb, Gb, Bb, Db. The formula is R–b3–5–b7 relative to the root Eb.
How do you play Ebm7 on guitar?
The most common shape for Ebm7 is x68676, read from the low E string to the high e string (x = muted, 0 = open, numbers = frets). It uses a barre, so it is more demanding than an open chord. Expect it to take some practice to sound clean.
Is Ebm7 an easy guitar chord?
It is rated intermediate. It uses a barre, so it is more demanding than an open chord. Expect it to take some practice to sound clean.
Is Ebm7 the same as D#m7?
Yes. Eb and D# are enharmonic: they are the same pitch with different names, so Ebm7 and D#m7 sound identical on guitar. The name used depends on the key of the song.
Which keys contain Ebm7?
Ebm7 is a diatonic chord in C# major (ii), F# major (vi), B major (iii), Bb minor (iv), Eb minor (i), Ab minor (v).
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