The key of E♭ minor has 6 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭, C♭). The notes of the scale are E♭, F, G♭, A♭, B♭, C♭, D♭ and its diatonic chords are Ebm, F°, Gb, Abm, Bbm, Cb, Db.
E♭ minor scale
Natural minor scale: E♭ · F · G♭ · A♭ · B♭ · C♭ · D♭ · E♭
Harmonic minor (7th degree raised a half step): E♭ · F · G♭ · A♭ · B♭ · C♭ · D · E♭
Melodic minor (6th and 7th raised, going up): E♭ · F · G♭ · A♭ · B♭ · C · D · E♭
The chords (triads)
| Degree | Symbol | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| i | Ebm | E♭ G♭ B♭ | |
| ii° | F° | F A♭ C♭ | |
| III | Gb | G♭ B♭ D♭ | |
| iv | Abm | A♭ C♭ E♭ | |
| v | Bbm | B♭ D♭ F | |
| VI | Cb | C♭ E♭ G♭ | |
| VII | Db | D♭ F A♭ | |
| V | Bb | B♭ D F |
In practice, minor keys almost always use Bb (a major chord, from the harmonic minor scale) as the dominant, because it pulls strongly to Ebm.
Seventh chords
| Degree | Symbol | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| i | Ebm7 | E♭ G♭ B♭ D♭ | |
| ii° | Fm7(b5) | F A♭ C♭ E♭ | |
| III | Gb7M | G♭ B♭ D♭ F | |
| iv | Abm7 | A♭ C♭ E♭ G♭ | |
| v | Bbm7 | B♭ D♭ F A♭ | |
| VI | Cb7M | C♭ E♭ G♭ B♭ | |
| VII | Db7 | D♭ F A♭ C♭ | |
| V7 | Bb7 | B♭ D F A♭ |
Common progressions in E♭ minor
- Ebm – Abm – Bb – Ebm (i – iv – V – i)
- Ebm – Cb – Gb – Db (i – VI – III – VII)
- F° – Bb – Ebm (ii° – V – i)
- Ebm – Db – Cb – Bb (i – VII – VI – V)
Relative key
The relative major of E♭ minor is G♭ major: same notes, starting from G♭.
Chords in other keys
Major keys: C major · G major · D major · A major · E major · B major · F♯ major · G♭ major · D♭ major · A♭ major · E♭ major · B♭ major · F major
Minor keys: A minor · E minor · B minor · F♯ minor · C♯ minor · G♯ minor · E♭ minor · B♭ minor · F minor · C minor · G minor · D minor
Learn how it works in diatonic chords: the complete guide and practice the scales in the app with your microphone.
Frequently asked questions
What chords are in the key of E♭ minor?
In the natural minor: Ebm, F°, Gb, Abm, Bbm, Cb, Db. In practice the major Bb is also used as the dominant.
What is the difference between natural, harmonic and melodic minor?
Harmonic minor raises the 7th a half step (D); melodic minor raises the 6th and 7th (C and D) going up.
What is the relative major of E♭ minor?
G♭ major, which uses the same notes.