To play the E-flat minor (Ebm) chord, begin by locating the note E-flat, which is the black key immediately to the left of E. Once you’ve found it, combine E-flat with G-flat and B-flat to create the E flat minor piano chord.
Eb minor notes
The E-flat minor chord consists of three notes: Eb, Gb and Bb.
These notes are called the root (Eb), third (Gb) and fifth(Bb). Together, they create a melancholic and deep sound.
To play this chord in its root position (basic form) with your right hand, use these fingers:
- Bb – Fifth finger (5)
- Gb – Third finger (3)
- Eb – Thumb (1)
For the left hand, use the following fingers:
- Bb – Thumb (1)
- Gb – Third finger (3)
- Eb – Fifth finger (5)
The inversions of an E flat minor chord
The inversions of the E flat minor piano chord are formed by rearranging the order in which the notes are played. Chord inversions allow you to play the same chord with a different sound and control how you emphasize each note of the chord.
The E-flat minor chord has two inversions:
- Ebm first inversion places Eb at the top of the chord, leaving Gb as the lowest note.
- Ebm second inversion places both Eb and Gb at the top, leaving Bb as the lowest note.
Let’s break down these inversions further and discover how to play them on piano.
How to play Eb minor first inversion?
To play the first inversion of the E-flat minor piano chord, start with Gb as the lowest note. Next, play Bb above it and finally add Eb as the highest note. This gives the chord a fresh sound that’s great for smooth transitions between chords.
For the right hand, use these fingers:
- Eb – Fifth finger (5)
- Bb – Middle finger (3)
- Gb – Thumb (1)
For the left hand, use these fingers:
- Eb – Thumb (1)
- Bb – Third finger (3)
- Gb – Fifth finger (5)
How to play Eb minor second inversion?
To play the second inversion of the E-flat minor piano chord, start with Bb as the lowest note. Then play Eb above it and finally add Gb as the highest note. This inversion gives the chord a different sound and is often used to make chord transitions more interesting.
For the right hand, use these fingers:
- Gb – Fifth finger (5)
- Eb – Middle finger (3)
- Bb – Thumb (1)
For the left hand, use these fingers:
- Gb – Thumb (1)
- Eb – Third finger (3)
- Bb – Fifth finger (5)
Eb minor chord progression
The Eb minor chord progression is widely used in various genres, from rock and pop to jazz and classical music. An E-flat minor chord progression often includes chords like Ebm, Bb, Abm and Db. Here are some popular E-flat minor chord progressions:
- Ebm – Bb – Abm – Bb
- Ebm – Gb – Ab – Bb
- Ebm – Abm – Bb – Ebm
- Ebm – Abm – Bb – Ebm
These progressions highlight the versatility of the Eb minor key, offering a range of moods from somber to rich and emotional. They are a great way to put your knowledge of piano chords to the test. To understand these chord symbols and how to play them, check out Skoove’s tailor-made beginner chord progression courses.
Piano chords generator
💡 If you are reading this from a mobile device, rotate it to display the tool in full width.
1. Click on “Chords”
2. Choose the “Root” of the chord
3. Choose the “Chord qualities” (major, minor, etc.)
4. Click “Display”
Popular songs to play with the Ebm piano chord
George Grershwin – Rhapsody in Blue
Author of this blog post:
Susana Pérez Posada
With over seven years of piano education and a deep passion for music therapy, Susana brings a unique blend of expertise to Skoove. A graduate in Music Therapy from SRH Hochschule Heidelberg and an experienced classical pianist from Universidad EAFIT, she infuses her teaching with a holistic approach that transcends traditional piano lessons. Susana’s writings for Skoove combine her rich musical knowledge with engaging storytelling, enriching the learning experience for pianists of all levels. Away from the piano, she loves exploring new places and immersing herself in a good book, believing these diverse experiences enhance her creative teaching style.
Published by Lydia Ogn from the Skoove team
