The E♭ Major 6 chord is a four-note chord made up of E♭, G, B♭, and C.
Construction
E♭ Major 6 = Root + Major 3rd + Perfect 5th + Major 6th = E♭ · G · B♭ · C
| Note | Interval | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| E♭ | Root | 1 |
| G | Major 3rd | 3 |
| B♭ | Perfect 5th | 5 |
| C | Major 6th | 6 |
E♭ Major 6 Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | E♭ – G – B♭ – C |
| 1st Inversion | G – B♭ – C – E♭ |
| 2nd Inversion | B♭ – C – E♭ – G |
| 3rd Inversion | C – E♭ – G – B♭ |
Key Signature
A chord has no key signature of its own, but the E♭ Major 6 is the tonic (I) chord of Eb Major, whose key signature has 3 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭).
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 E♭ Major
These are the triads built on each degree of the E♭ major scale:
Same Notes, Other Names
The notes E♭ – G – B♭ – C aren’t exclusive to this chord. Depending on which note is the bass and how the chord functions, the same pitches also spell:
E♭ Major 6 — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the E♭ Major 6 chord on piano?
The E♭ Major 6 chord contains the notes E♭ – G – B♭ – C. On piano, play these notes together to sound the chord.
What notes are in the Eb Major 6 chord?
Eb6 contains: Eb, G, Bb, C. Major triad with major sixth.
How does Eb6 differ from Ebmaj7?
Eb6 has C (sixth). Ebmaj7 has D (seventh).
How does Eb6 differ from Cm7?
Same four notes, different root.
How is Eb6 used?
Vintage jazz, swing, big band. Eb is a standard jazz key.
What songs use Major 6th?
Swing era, big band.
Can I substitute Eb6 for Eb Major?
Yes — warmer tonic.