E♭ Augmented 7th
Also Known As
Hear the E♭ Augmented 7th chord played for you.
E♭+7
E♭ – G – B – D♭
Formula:R-M3-A5-m7
Intervals:P1-M3-A5-m7
Scale Degrees:1-3-#5-b7
Introduction
The E♭ Augmented 7th chord is a four-note chord made up of E♭, G, B, and D♭. It is built from a root, major third, augmented fifth, and minor seventh.
The Eb Augmented 7th piano chord (Eb+7) consists of the notes Eb, G, B, Db. It is an augmented triad with an added minor 7th, giving it a bright, tense, and unresolved character with a strong upward pull. Formula: R-M3-A5-m7 | Scale degrees: 1-3-#5-b7.
Notes
E♭ Augmented 7th Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | Eb4 – G4 – B4 – Db5 |
| 1st Inversion | G4 – B4 – Db5 – Eb5 |
| 2nd Inversion | B4 – Db5 – Eb5 – G5 |
| 3rd Inversion | Eb4 – G4 – B4 – Db4 |
Key Signature
The key of Eb Augmented 7th has 3 flats.
B♭E♭A♭
Order of flats
Flats are added in a fixed order — the reverse of the sharp order. Each new flat key adds the next flat on the list.
B♭E♭A♭D♭G♭C♭F♭
Mnemonic: Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles’ Father
Chords in the Key of Eb Major
These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the Eb major scale:
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
I — E♭ Major (major)
Theory: Intervals
Formula: R-M3-A5-m7
Intervals: P1-M3-A5-m7
The E♭ Augmented 7th is built by stacking intervals from the root note. The formula R-M3-A5-m7 describes the scale degrees used. The intervals P1-M3-A5-m7 show the distance between each note in the chord.
E♭ Augmented 7th — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the Eb Augmented 7th chord?
The Eb Augmented 7th chord (Eb+7) contains four notes: Eb (root), G (major third), B (augmented fifth), and Db (minor seventh). It combines an augmented triad with a minor seventh.
How does Eb Augmented 7th differ from Eb Dominant 7th?
Both contain Eb, G, and Db. Eb+7 has B (augmented fifth) while Eb7 has Bb (perfect fifth). The raised fifth adds extra tension and upward pull.
How is Eb Augmented 7th used in music?
Eb+7 is an altered dominant resolving to Ab Major. The B pulls up to C while Db pulls down to C — both converge on the third of Ab. Common in jazz and gospel.
What genres use Augmented 7th chords?
Augmented 7th chords are common in jazz, gospel, blues, and R&B for adding emotional intensity to dominant resolutions.
What songs use Augmented 7th chords?
Augmented 7th chords appear in jazz standards and gospel. Eb+7 resolves to Ab Major, a key popular with vocalists and R&B artists.
What is the difference between +7 and 7#5?
They are the same chord. Eb+7, Eb7#5, and Ebaug7 all refer to Eb Augmented 7th.
Practice Tips
- Play Eb7 then raise Bb to B — hear the augmented fifth's extra chromatic tension.
- Practice Eb+7 → Ab Major. The B and Db both resolve to C — converging voice leading.
- Compare Eb+7 with Eb7 — both target Ab, but +7 adds richer colour.
- In jazz: Bbm7 → Eb+7 → Abmaj7 adds sophistication to the standard ii–V–I in Ab.
- Eb+7 is particularly useful in gospel piano — try it before the tonic for emotional impact.
- The augmented triad (Eb–G–B) divides the octave into three equal major thirds.
Related Tools
Chord FinderLook up any chord — see the notes, hear it, and play along.Chord DrillTimed drills to build speed and recognition across all chord types.Practice RoomPlug in a MIDI keyboard and get real-time feedback on every chord and scale.Circle of FifthsVisualize key relationships, relative minors, and key signatures.MIDI MonitorLive MIDI message stream with note names, velocity, and a scrolling staff.