Explore chords · Ukulele
E♭ minor 7th chord on ukulele (E♭m7)
Also called or written E♭m7 or E♭min7
E♭ minor 7th contains E♭, G♭, B♭, and D♭. This advanced grip requires a wide stretch from the 8th to the 10th fret.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 5, ♭7
How do you play an E♭ minor 7th chord on ukulele?
E♭ minor 7th is played at the 8th fret as 8 10 9 9: index finger on the G string at fret 8, pinky finger on the C string at fret 10, middle finger on the E string at fret 9 and ring finger on the A string at fret 9.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8 | 1 | E♭ (1) |
| 3 (C) | 10 | 4 | B♭ (5) |
| 2 (E) | 9 | 2 | D♭ (♭7) |
| 1 (A) | 9 | 3 | G♭ (♭3) |
AdvancedThe pinky must stretch to the 10th fret on the C string while the index holds the 8th fret on the G string.
2nd fret
E♭ minor 7th is played at the 2nd fret as 3 3 2 4: middle finger on the G string at fret 3, ring finger on the C string at fret 3, index finger on the E string at fret 2 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 4.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3 | 2 | B♭ (5) |
| 3 (C) | 3 | 3 | E♭ (1) |
| 2 (E) | 2 | 1 | G♭ (♭3) |
| 1 (A) | 4 | 4 | D♭ (♭7) |
E♭m7/G♭ inversion
E♭ minor 7th is played at the 6th fret as 6 6 6 6: barre your index finger across fret 6.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6 | 1 (barre) | D♭ (♭7) |
| 3 (C) | 6 | 1 (barre) | G♭ (♭3) |
| 2 (E) | 6 | 1 (barre) | B♭ (5) |
| 1 (A) | 6 | 1 (barre) | E♭ (1) |
Why it sounds like that
E♭ minor 7th is built from the formula 1, ♭3, 5, ♭7. The minor 7th interval between E♭ and D♭ gives the chord its characteristic softness. Compare it to E♭ minor, which lacks the ♭7.
What goes wrong with E♭ minor 7th?
- Letting the pinky mute the 2nd string by collapsing.
- Pressing the index too hard and sharpening the 4th string.
When to use it
E♭ minor 7th suits neo-soul, jazz, and slow blues. It adds depth to an E♭ minor or E♭ 5th.
Changing to and from E♭ minor 7th
- Slide the shape down two frets to the 6th fret to play C♯ minor 7th.
- Move to E♭ minor by lifting the pinky and strumming only the top three strings.
Which voicing to use
The 8th fret voicing puts E♭ in the bass for a solid foundation. The E♭m7/A♯ inversion at the 3rd fret places B♭ in the bass, creating a lighter feel. For a higher register, use the E♭m7/C♯ inversion at the 6th fret.
Other E♭ chords
Common questions
How is E♭ minor 7th written?
E♭ minor 7th is written as E♭min7 or E♭m7. The root is E♭, with ASCII spelling Eb. It is also spelled D♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
What is the difference between E♭ minor 7th and E♭ minor?
E♭ minor 7th adds the ♭7 note D♭ to the E♭ minor triad. This extra note creates a more relaxed, jazzy sound. E♭ minor contains only E♭, G♭, and B♭.
Can I use E♭ minor 7th in a major key?
Yes, E♭ minor 7th is the vi chord in F♯ major. It appears in progressions like I–V–vi–IV. In that role it adds a wistful color.
Is E♭ minor 7th a barre chord?
The default voicing at the 8th fret uses individual fingers, not a barre. However, the E♭m7/C♯ inversion at the 6th fret requires a full barre across all strings.