The E♭ Major 7th chord is a four-note chord made up of E♭, G, B♭, and D. It is built from a root, major third, perfect fifth, and major seventh.
Construction
E♭ Major 7th = Root + Major 3rd + Perfect 5th + Major 7th = E♭ · G · B♭ · D
| Note | Interval | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| E♭ | Root | 1 |
| G | Major 3rd | 3 |
| B♭ | Perfect 5th | 5 |
| D | Major 7th | 7 |
E♭ Major 7th Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | E♭ – G – B♭ – D |
| 1st Inversion | G – B♭ – D – E♭ |
| 2nd Inversion | B♭ – D – E♭ – G |
| 3rd Inversion | D – E♭ – G – B♭ |
Key Signature
A chord has no key signature of its own, but the E♭ Major 7th 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:
How E♭ Major 7th functions in a key
The same chord takes on a different harmonic role depending on the key it appears in. Here is where E♭ Major 7th sits diatonically across the common keys:
- In E♭ major, E♭ Major 7th is the I chord — the tonic.
- In G minor, E♭ Major 7th is the VI chord — the tonic.
- In B♭ major, E♭ Major 7th is the IV chord — a predominant.
- In C minor, E♭ Major 7th is the III chord — a mediant / color chord.
E♭ Major 7th — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the E♭ Major 7th chord on piano?
The E♭ Major 7th chord contains the notes E♭ – G – B♭ – D. On piano, play these notes together to sound the chord.
What notes are in the Eb Major 7th chord?
The Eb Major 7th chord (Ebmaj7) contains four notes: Eb (root), G (major third), Bb (perfect fifth), and D (major seventh). The major seventh interval gives this chord its dreamy, lush quality.
How does Eb Major 7th differ from Eb Dominant 7th?
Both contain Eb, G, and Bb. The difference is the seventh: Ebmaj7 has D (major seventh) while Eb7 has Db (minor seventh). Ebmaj7 sounds warm and resolved; Eb7 sounds tense and pulls toward Ab Major.
How is Eb Major 7th used in music?
Ebmaj7 is the I chord in jazz harmony in Eb Major. Eb is a common key for jazz, big band, and brass-heavy arrangements. Ebmaj7 appears frequently in standards, R&B, and gospel as a rich tonic chord.
What genres commonly use Major 7th chords?
Major 7th chords are foundational in jazz, bossa nova, neo-soul, R&B, city pop, and lo-fi hip-hop. They also appear in classical impressionism and sophisticated pop. The smooth, dreamy quality is a signature of relaxed, harmonically rich music.
What songs use Major 7th chords?
Major 7th chords appear in The Girl from Ipanema (Jobim), Don't Know Why (Norah Jones), and countless jazz standards. Stevie Wonder's catalogue is filled with major 7th voicings. The warm sound makes it a favourite across many genres.
Can I substitute Eb Major 7th for Eb Major?
Yes — Ebmaj7 can replace Eb Major for added colour in most contexts. The exception is when the melody sits on Eb, since the semitone between D (major seventh) and Eb (root) can create a harsh clash.