The E♭ Major 9th chord is a five-note chord made up of E♭, G, B♭, D, and F. It is built from a root, major third, perfect fifth, major seventh, and major ninth.
Construction
E♭ Major 9th = Root + Major 3rd + Perfect 5th + Major 7th + Major 2nd = E♭ · G · B♭ · D · F
| Note | Interval | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| E♭ | Root | 1 |
| G | Major 3rd | 3 |
| B♭ | Perfect 5th | 5 |
| D | Major 7th | 7 |
| F | Major 2nd | 9 |
Key Signature
A chord has no key signature of its own, but the E♭ Major 9th 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:
E♭ Major 9th — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the E♭ Major 9th chord on piano?
The E♭ Major 9th chord contains the notes E♭ – G – B♭ – D – F. On piano, play these notes together to sound the chord.
What notes are in the Eb Major 9th chord?
The Eb Major 9th chord (Ebmaj9) contains five notes: Eb (root), G (major third), Bb (perfect fifth), D (major seventh), and F (major ninth). It is Ebmaj7 with an added ninth.
How does Ebmaj9 differ from Eb9?
Ebmaj9 has a major seventh (D). Eb9 has a minor seventh (Db). Ebmaj9 is lush and resolved; Eb9 is dominant.
How is Ebmaj9 used in music?
Ebmaj9 is a rich tonic in Eb Major, one of the most common jazz keys. It appears in jazz standards, big band, and R&B.
What songs use Major 9th chords?
Major 9th chords are signature sounds of neo-soul, jazz, and lo-fi music.
How does Ebmaj9 differ from Ebadd9?
Ebmaj9 includes the major seventh (D). Ebadd9 has no seventh.
Do I need to play all five notes?
No — drop the fifth: Eb–G–D–F is the practical voicing.