Also written E♭m or E♭min
E♭ minor contains E♭, G♭, and B♭. The 11th fret shape is a four-fret stretch for intermediate bassists.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
E♭ minor is built from the formula 1, ♭3, 5. The minor 3rd between E♭ and G♭ defines the minor quality. Compare with E♭ major, which raises the 3rd to G natural.
E♭ minor fits ballads and soulful lines. Pair it with B major for a smooth IV movement.
The 11th fret position keeps E♭ in the bass for a grounded root. The E♭min/A♯ inversion at 6-6-4-× puts B♭ in the bass, ideal for descending lines.
E♭ minor is played at the 11th fret as 11 13 13 11: index finger on the E string at fret 11, ring finger on the A string at fret 13, pinky finger on the D string at fret 13 and middle finger on the G string at fret 11.
Tip — The distance between index on fret 11 and pinky on fret 13 demands a wide hand span.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 11 | 1 | E♭ (1) |
| 3 (A) | 13 | 3 | B♭ (5) |
| 2 (D) | 13 | 4 | E♭ (1) |
| 1 (G) | 11 | 2 | G♭ (♭3) |
E♭ minor is played at the 1st fret as 2 1 1 3: ring finger on the E string at fret 2, index finger on the A string at fret 1, middle finger on the D string at fret 1 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 3.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 2 | 3 | G♭ (♭3) |
| 3 (A) | 1 | 1 | B♭ (5) |
| 2 (D) | 1 | 2 | E♭ (1) |
| 1 (G) | 3 | 4 | B♭ (5) |
E♭ minor is played at the 13th fret as 14 13 13 15: ring finger on the E string at fret 14, index finger on the A string at fret 13, middle finger on the D string at fret 13 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 15.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 14 | 3 | G♭ (♭3) |
| 3 (A) | 13 | 1 | B♭ (5) |
| 2 (D) | 13 | 2 | E♭ (1) |
| 1 (G) | 15 | 4 | B♭ (5) |
E♭ minor is played at the 4th fret as 6 6 4 ×: middle finger on the E string at fret 6, ring finger on the A string at fret 6 and index finger on the D string at fret 4. The G string stays muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 6 | 2 | B♭ (5) |
| 3 (A) | 6 | 3 | E♭ (1) |
| 2 (D) | 4 | 1 | G♭ (♭3) |
| 1 (G) | muted | — | — |
E♭ minor is played at the 11th fret as × 13 13 11: middle finger on the A string at fret 13, ring finger on the D string at fret 13 and index finger on the G string at fret 11. The E string stays muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (A) | 13 | 2 | B♭ (5) |
| 2 (D) | 13 | 3 | E♭ (1) |
| 1 (G) | 11 | 1 | G♭ (♭3) |
E♭ minor is written as E♭m, E♭min, E♭−, or E♭mi. The ASCII root is Eb, so you may see Ebm. It is also spelled D♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
E♭ minor has a G♭, while E♭ major has a G natural. The minor 3rd creates the darker sound.
Yes, the E♭min/A♯ inversion at 6-6-4-× uses a narrower span and still contains all chord tones.