Eb Chord on Guitar (E flat major)
Eb is a major chord with a bright, stable and happy sound. It contains the notes Eb – G – Bb (root + major third + perfect fifth). Below you will find 3 ways to play it on guitar.
How to play Eb
Position 1: x 6 8 8 8 6
- low E: don't play
- A: fret 6
- D: fret 8
- G: fret 8
- B: fret 8
- high E: fret 6
Position 2: 11 13 13 12 11 11
- low E: fret 11
- A: fret 13
- D: fret 13
- G: fret 12
- B: fret 11
- high E: fret 11
Position 3: x x 1 3 4 3
- low E: don't play
- A: don't play
- D: fret 1
- G: fret 3
- B: fret 4
- high E: fret 3
This chord has no easy open shape, so it is usually played as a barre chord. Press the barre with the side of your index finger, keep your thumb behind the neck, and check each string one by one until all of them ring clearly.
Chord theory
A major chord is the most common chord in popular music. It is built from three notes: the root, the major third (4 half steps above the root) and the perfect fifth (7 half steps above the root).
Degrees: 1 = Eb, 3 = G, 5 = Bb
Using Eb in songs
Major chords are the backbone of most songs. In any major key, the chords built on the 1st, 4th and 5th degrees are major, which is why so many songs only need three or four of them.
Relative minor: Cm