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How To Play An Ebmaj7 Chord On The Guitar

Guitar Chords > Eb Chord > Ebmaj7 Chord

In this guitar lesson you will learn how to play the Ebmaj7 chord.

Here are five different ways you can play the Ebmaj7 chord on the guitar.

There are many variations for all guitar chords. Be sure to check out a guitar chord chart like this one for every available option.

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To build an E♭ major 7 (E♭maj7) chord on the guitar, you need to combine the following notes, which make up the chord:

  • E♭ (Root note)
  • G (Major third)
  • B♭ (Perfect fifth)
  • D (Major seventh)

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A common way to play the E♭maj7 chord on the guitar involves using a barre chord shape rooted on the 6th string. Here's one way to fret the notes:

  • Root (E♭): 6th fret on the low E string (6th string).
  • Major Third (G): 5th fret on the D string (4th string).
  • Perfect Fifth (B♭): 8th fret on the D string (4th string).
  • Major Seventh (D): 7th fret on the G string (3rd string).

Finger Positions

Index Finger: Bar across all the strings at the 6th fret. This will get the E♭ on the low E string. Middle Finger: Place it on the 7th fret of the G string to play the major seventh (D). Ring Finger: Use it on the 8th fret of the A string to play the perfect fifth (B♭). Pinky: Place it on the 8th fret of the D string to play another E♭, reinforcing the root note.

Simplified E♭maj7 Chord

If you find the full barre chord shape challenging, here's a simpler version:

  • Root (E♭): Skip this string or mute it.
  • Major Third (G): Play the open G string (3rd string).
  • Perfect Fifth (B♭): 1st fret on the A string (5th string).
  • Major Seventh (D): Play the open D string (4th string).

Playing Tips

For the full barre chord, ensure your index finger presses down firmly across all the strings at the 6th fret to produce a clear sound.

Practice switching between this chord and other chords you know to improve your dexterity and speed.

The E♭maj7 chord has a lush, full sound that works well in various musical contexts, including jazz, pop, and R&B.

Playing barre chords can be physically demanding at first, so take breaks as needed and gradually increase your practice time to build up strength and flexibility in your fingers.