Chords in the key of E flat major
The key of E flat major has the notes E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭, C, and D and the chords E♭, Fm, Gm, A♭, B♭, Cm, and D°. As seventh chords: E♭7M, Fm7, Gm7, A♭7M, B♭7, Cm7, and Dm7(♭5). Key signature: 3 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭). Relative minor: C minor.
- E♭
- F
- G
- A♭
- B♭
- C
- D
Chords in E flat major
| Degree | Triad | Seventh chord | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | E♭ | E♭7M | tonic |
| ii | Fm | Fm7 | subdominant |
| iii | Gm | Gm7 | tonic |
| IV | A♭ | A♭7M | subdominant |
| V | B♭ | B♭7 | dominant |
| vi | Cm | Cm7 | tonic |
| vii° | D° | Dm7(♭5) | dominant |
Each chord in the table opens its guitar page, with the diagram and the sound.
The chords of E flat major on the piano
What each chord does
Tonic (E♭, Gm, and Cm) feels at rest; subdominant (Fm and A♭) moves away from home; dominant (B♭ and D°) builds tension and wants to go back to E♭.
Common progressions in E flat major
Listen to each one and open it in the backing track to play along.
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The pop progression
I–V–vi–IVThe most used sequence in pop and country: it works under almost any melody.
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50s progression
I–vi–IV–VThe "doo-wop": from 1950s ballads to today's romantic pop.
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Jazz IIm–V–I
ii7–V7–Imaj7The most important cadence in jazz and bossa nova.
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The three chords
I–IV–VI–IV–V: the foundation of rock, blues, country and folk.
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Sentimental pop
vi–IV–I–VThe pop progression starting on the relative minor: emotional, chorus-ready.
Relative and parallel keys
Relative minor: C minor. Both scales have the same notes and the same key signature (3 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭)).
Parallel key: D sharp minor, with the same tonic and the other mode. Switching between them mid-song changes the mood without moving the home note.
Neighbours on the circle of fifths: A flat major (a fifth below) and B flat major (a fifth above). Modulating to them sounds natural.
Circle of fifths
E flat major is highlighted. Clockwise, each step goes up a fifth and adds a sharp; counter-clockwise, a flat. The relative minors are on the inside. Tap a key to see its chords.
Scales and tools for E flat major
Chords in other keys
Major keys
Minor keys
Frequently asked questions
What chords are in the key of E flat major?
E♭, Fm, Gm, A♭, B♭, Cm, and D°. As seventh chords: E♭7M, Fm7, Gm7, A♭7M, B♭7, Cm7, and Dm7(♭5).
What is the relative of E flat major?
C minor. Both scales have the same notes and the same key signature: 3 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭).
What is the key signature of E flat major?
E flat major has 3 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭) in its key signature.
What is the dominant chord in E flat major?
It is B♭ (or B♭7 with the seventh), the V chord. It builds tension and resolves to E♭, the tonic.
What chord progressions work in E flat major?
The most common: I–V–vi–IV: E♭ B♭ Cm A♭; I–vi–IV–V: E♭ Cm A♭ B♭; ii7–V7–Imaj7: Fm7 B♭7 E♭7M; I–IV–V: E♭ A♭ B♭; vi–IV–I–V: Cm A♭ E♭ B♭.