Piano chords · Major chord
E♭ piano chord (E♭ major)
E♭ (also written D♯) is a major chord with 3 notes. It sounds bright and settled. Here's how to find it, play it and hear it.
E♭ – G – B♭ · tap any key to hear it
The notes of E♭
E♭ is built from 3 notes (1 – 3 – 5):
- E♭, the root
- G, the major third
- B♭, the fifth
E♭ and B♭ are black keys, so keep your hand slightly further in, towards the fallboard, to reach them without stretching.
Fingering
- Right hand: 1 on E♭, 3 on G, 5 on B♭.
- Left hand: 5 on E♭, 3 on G, 1 on B♭.
Press every key at exactly the same moment, with the same weight. If one note sounds louder or a fraction late, the chord sounds uneven: play it slowly and listen for one sound.
Inversions
An inversion is the same notes in a different order, with a different note at the bottom. Inversions let you move between chords without jumping around the keyboard.
| Position | Notes, bottom to top |
|---|---|
| Root position | E♭ – G – B♭ |
| 1st inversion | G – B♭ – E♭ |
| 2nd inversion | B♭ – E♭ – G |
Where E♭ belongs
E♭ is the I chord in E♭ major, the IV chord in B♭ major and the V chord in A♭ major. Its relative minor is Cm, which shares two of its notes.
E♭m is the same chord with the middle note a half step lower (G becomes G♭), which turns it from bright to dark.
Hear it in a progression
E♭ – B♭ – Cm – A♭: I – V – vi – IV, the progression behind countless pop songs.
Playing it, but it doesn't sound right? Ivory listens to you play and tells you what's off: a note that's missing, a hand that lands late, a chord that's uneven. Then it shows you how it should go.
Questions people ask
What notes are in the E♭ chord?
E♭ (E♭ major) is made of E♭, G and B♭: the root, major third and fifth.
How do you play E♭ on piano?
With your right hand, use fingers 1 on E♭, 3 on G, 5 on B♭, and press them together. With your left hand: 5 on E♭, 3 on G, 1 on B♭.
What's the difference between E♭ and E♭m?
E♭m is the same chord with the middle note a half step lower (G becomes G♭), which turns it from bright to dark.