Ebmaj7 Chord (Eb major 7th) on Guitar
Ebmaj7 (Eb major 7th) is made of the notes Eb – G – Bb – D. The easiest guitar fingering is x60033 (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.
Easiest shape
Alternative shape
How to play Ebmaj7
- Press the 5th string (A) at fret 6 (Eb).
- Play the 4th string (D) open (D).
- Play the 3rd string (G) open (G).
- Press the 2nd string (B) at fret 3 (D).
- Press the 1st string (high e) at fret 3 (G).
- 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) | 0 (open) | D | 7 |
| 3rd string (G) | 0 (open) | G | 3 |
| 2nd string (B) | 3 | D | 7 |
| 1st string (high e) | 3 | G | 3 |
What is a Eb major 7th chord?
A major 7th chord adds a major seventh, one half step below the root, on top of a major triad.
Notes and formula. Ebmaj7 contains Eb, G, Bb, D. Counted from the root Eb, that is R (root), 3 (major 3rd), 5 (perfect 5th), 7 (major 7th). It is also written D#maj7; the two names sound identical and the name used depends on the key of the song.
Sound. Smooth, lush and slightly dreamy. It is a major chord with extra sophistication and none of the bluesy tension of a dominant 7th.
Where it is used. Common in soul, jazz, bossa nova, R&B, indie and acoustic pop, usually on the I and IV chords of a major key.
Tips for playing Ebmaj7
Play it softly with your thumb or a light pick attack. Maj7 chords sound best when the notes ring together without being strummed hard.
Common mistake: Strumming every string with force. Some shapes include a close interval (a half step) between two strings that sounds harsh if hit too hard.
Keys that contain Ebmaj7
Ebmaj7 is a diatonic chord, meaning it occurs naturally without accidentals, in these keys:
Try it in a progression: browse chord progressions for every key.
Scales to play over Ebmaj7
Related chords
Ebmaj7 chord FAQ
What notes are in a Ebmaj7 chord?
Ebmaj7 (Eb major 7th) contains the notes Eb, G, Bb, D. The formula is R–3–5–7 relative to the root Eb.
How do you play Ebmaj7 on guitar?
The most common shape for Ebmaj7 is x60033, 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 Ebmaj7 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 Ebmaj7 the same as D#maj7?
Yes. Eb and D# are enharmonic: they are the same pitch with different names, so Ebmaj7 and D#maj7 sound identical on guitar. The name used depends on the key of the song.
Which keys contain Ebmaj7?
Ebmaj7 is a diatonic chord in Eb major (I), Bb major (IV), C minor (III), G minor (VI).
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