Explore chords · Ukulele
E♭ minor chord on ukulele (E♭m)
Also called or written E♭m or E♭min
E♭ minor contains E♭, G♭, and B♭. The 1st-fret shape mutes the G string, so you strum only three strings.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 5
- Root positionE♭–G♭–B♭E♭m×-3-2-1
- First inversionG♭–B♭–E♭E♭m/G♭8-6-6-6
- Second inversionB♭–E♭–G♭E♭m/B♭11-10-11-9
How do you play an E♭ minor chord on ukulele?
E♭ minor is played at the 1st fret as × 3 2 1: ring finger on the C string at fret 3, middle finger on the E string at fret 2 and index finger on the A string at fret 1. The G string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (C) | 3 | 3 | E♭ (1) |
| 2 (E) | 2 | 2 | G♭ (♭3) |
| 1 (A) | 1 | 1 | B♭ (5) |
IntermediateThe G string must be muted while three fingers fret separate strings, which can cause the muted string to buzz if touched too hard.
E♭min/G♭ inversion
E♭ minor is played at the 6th fret as 8 6 6 6: barre your index finger across fret 6 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 8.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8 | 4 | E♭ (1) |
| 3 (C) | 6 | 1 (barre) | G♭ (♭3) |
| 2 (E) | 6 | 1 (barre) | B♭ (5) |
| 1 (A) | 6 | 1 (barre) | E♭ (1) |
E♭min/B♭ inversion
E♭ minor is played at the 9th fret as 11 10 11 9: ring finger on the G string at fret 11, middle finger on the C string at fret 10, pinky finger on the E string at fret 11 and index finger on the A string at fret 9.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 11 | 3 | G♭ (♭3) |
| 3 (C) | 10 | 2 | B♭ (5) |
| 2 (E) | 11 | 4 | E♭ (1) |
| 1 (A) | 9 | 1 | G♭ (♭3) |
1st fret · 3-3-2-1
E♭ minor is played at the 1st fret as 3 3 2 1: ring finger on the G string at fret 3, pinky finger on the C string at fret 3, middle finger on the E string at fret 2 and index finger on the A string at fret 1.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3 | 3 | B♭ (5) |
| 3 (C) | 3 | 4 | E♭ (1) |
| 2 (E) | 2 | 2 | G♭ (♭3) |
| 1 (A) | 1 | 1 | B♭ (5) |
Why it sounds like that
E♭ minor is built from the formula 1, ♭3, 5. The minor 3rd between E♭ and G♭ gives the chord its somber character. Compare it to E♭ major, which raises the 3rd by a semitone.
What goes wrong with E♭ minor?
- Let the muted G string ring out, adding a note outside the chord.
- Flatten the ring finger onto the E string, muffling the 2nd fret note.
When to use it
E♭ minor works for moody pop and R&B. Pair it with B major for a smooth resolution.
Changing to and from E♭ minor
- Sliding the shape up one fret to the 2nd fret gives E minor.
- Sliding the shape up two frets to the 3rd fret gives F minor.
Which voicing to use
The 1st fret voicing puts E♭ in the bass for a root-position sound. The 6th fret shape is a full barre that sounds fuller and more sustained. The E♭min/F♯ inversion places G♭ in the bass, giving a darker, more unstable feel.
Other E♭ chords
Common questions
How is E♭ minor written?
E♭ minor is written as E♭m, E♭min, E♭−, or E♭mi. On a keyboard, type Eb minor because the ♭ symbol is not on standard keys. It is also spelled D♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Why is the G string muted in the 1st fret shape?
The open G string is not a chord tone of E♭ minor. Muting it keeps the chord from sounding muddy or wrong.
What is the difference between E♭ minor and E♭ major?
E♭ minor has a G♭, while E♭ major has a G natural. The lowered third is what makes the chord sound sad or serious.
Can I play E♭ minor without muting a string?
Yes, the 6th fret shape uses all four strings and no muting. It is a barre chord, so it requires more finger strength.