E Flat Major: Scale, Chords and Progressions

Chords in the key of E flat major

The key of E flat major has 3 flats in the key signature (B♭, E♭, A♭). Its scale is E♭ – F – G – A♭ – B♭ – C – D and its seven chords are E♭, Fm, Gm, A♭, B♭, Cm and Ddim. The most common progression is E♭ – B♭ – Cm – A♭. Its relative key is C minor. With a capo on fret 1, you can play it with the shapes of D major.

The chords in the key

E♭ is home; A♭ and B♭ create the movement and tension that lead back to it, and Cm adds the minor colour. The four-note versions add the seventh.

Degree	Chord	Notes	Role	With seventh
I	E♭	E♭ – G – B♭	Tonic: home	E♭maj7
ii	Fm	F – A♭ – C	Subdominant	Fm7
iii	Gm	G – B♭ – D	Tonic substitute	Gm7
IV	A♭	A♭ – C – E♭	Subdominant	A♭maj7
V	B♭	B♭ – D – F	Dominant: tension	B♭7
vi	Cm	C – E♭ – G	Relative tonic	Cm7
vii°	Ddim	D – F – A♭	Dominant (leading tone)	—

Scale

E♭ – F – G – A♭ – B♭ – C – D

With a capo

To make a song sound in E flat major with easy open shapes:

Capo on fret 1: play the shapes of D major
Capo on fret 3: play the shapes of C major
Capo on fret 6: play the shapes of A major

Common progressions

Loop them in the chord player and use them as the base of a song.

E♭ – B♭ – Cm – A♭ I – V – vi – IV Play in the chord player
E♭ – Cm – A♭ – B♭ I – vi – IV – V Play in the chord player
Fm7 – B♭7 – E♭maj7 – E♭maj7 ii7 – V7 – Imaj7 – Imaj7 Play in the chord player
E♭ – A♭ – B♭ – E♭ I – IV – V – I Play in the chord player

Frequently asked questions

What chords are in the key of E flat major?

Its seven chords are E♭, Fm, Gm, A♭, B♭, Cm and Ddim.

How many sharps or flats does E flat major have?

It has 3 flats in the key signature (B♭, E♭, A♭).

What is the relative key of E flat major?

Its relative key is C minor: they share the same notes and chords.