Explore chords · Bass
E♭ 7th sharp 5 chord on bass (E♭7♯5)
Also called or written E♭7♯5, E♭ or E♭ Dominant 7th ♯5
E♭ 7th sharp 5 contains E♭, G, B, and D♭. The default voicing at the 7th fret uses a wide four-finger stretch.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, ♯5, ♭7
How do you play an E♭ 7th sharp 5 chord on bass?
E♭ 7th sharp 5 is played at the 5th fret as 7 6 5 6: pinky finger on the E string at fret 7, middle finger on the A string at fret 6, index finger on the D string at fret 5 and ring finger on the G string at fret 6.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7 | 4 | B (♯5) |
| 3 (A) | 6 | 2 | E♭ (1) |
| 2 (D) | 5 | 1 | G (3) |
| 1 (G) | 6 | 3 | D♭ (♭7) |
AdvancedThe pinky must reach the 7th fret on the E string while the index holds the 5th fret on the D string.
E♭7♯5/D♭ inversion
E♭ 7th sharp 5 is played at the 8th fret as 9 10 9 8: middle finger on the E string at fret 9, pinky finger on the A string at fret 10, ring finger on the D string at fret 9 and index finger on the G string at fret 8.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 9 | 2 | D♭ (♭7) |
| 3 (A) | 10 | 4 | G (3) |
| 2 (D) | 9 | 3 | B (♯5) |
| 1 (G) | 8 | 1 | E♭ (1) |
Why it sounds like that
E♭ 7th sharp 5 is built from the formula 1, 3, ♯5, ♭7. The augmented 5th, B, gives the chord its bright, tense sound. Compare it to E♭ 7th, which has a perfect 5th.
What goes wrong with E♭ 7th sharp 5?
- Letting the pinky collapse and mute the A string.
- Pressing the index finger too flat and buzzing the D string.
- Striking the open E string instead of the 7th fret.
When to use it
E♭ 7th sharp 5 suits jazz, blues, and R&B lines that need a raised 5th. It pairs well with E♭ major and E♭ 7th.
Changing to and from E♭ 7th sharp 5
- Sliding the shape down two frets to the 5th fret gives C♯ 7th sharp 5. Keep the finger spacing identical while shifting.
- Move to E♭ 7th by lowering the D string from the 5th fret to the 4th fret; the other fingers stay in place.
Which voicing to use
The B inversion puts the augmented 5th in the bass, creating a tense, unstable sound. The D♭ inversion has the ♭7 in the bass and is higher on the neck. Choose the B inversion for a more dissonant line.
Other E♭ chords
Common questions
How is E♭ 7th sharp 5 written?
E♭ 7th sharp 5 is written as E♭7♯5 or E♭7+5. The ASCII root is Eb, so you may see Eb7#5. It is also spelled D♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
What is the difference between E♭ 7th sharp 5 and E♭ augmented?
E♭ 7th sharp 5 adds a minor 7th, D♭, to the augmented triad E♭–G–B. E♭ augmented has only the root, major 3rd, and augmented 5th. The 7th makes the chord dominant and more dissonant.
Can E♭ 7th sharp 5 be used as a passing chord?
E♭ 7th sharp 5 works as a passing chord between E♭ 7th and E♭ 9th. Its raised 5th creates tension that resolves to the next chord. Use it briefly on a weak beat.