Note, Scale, Chord… explained simply
Note, Scale, Chord… explained simply

Eb minor: Key Signature, Scale and Chords

Circle of fifths with Eb minor (6 ♭): chords of the key highlighted on the wheel

Eb minor has 6 ♭ (Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb) in its key signature.

The Eb minor scale is: Eb F Gb Ab Bb Cb Db Eb.

The diatonic chords are Ebm (i), Fdim (ii°), Gb (III), Abm (iv), Bbm (v), Cb (VI) and Db (VII). The main functions are Ebm (tonic), Abm (subdominant) and Bbm (dominant).

In harmonic minor the 7th degree is raised (D); this turns the dominant into the major chord Bb.

The relative major is Gb major. In the circle of fifths, Ab minor (a fifth lower) and Bb minor (a fifth higher) sit right next to Eb minor.

Eb minor is enharmonically equivalent to D# minor, but with six flats it is the more common spelling. Chopin's Étude Op. 10 No. 6 is in Eb minor.

All keys at a glance

Table with key signatures and all diatonic chords. Click a key to open its own page.

Back to the overview: Circle of Fifth

Mnemonic for sharp keys: Good Dogs Always Eat Big Fat Cats

Mnemonic for flat keys: Fat Bears Eat Apples Daily Getting Chubby

KeyKey signatureIiiiiiIVVvivii°
C majorA minornoneCDmEmFGAmBdim
G majorE minor1 ♯F#GAmBmCDEmF#dim
D majorB minor2 ♯F#, C#DEmF#mGABmC#dim
A majorF# minor3 ♯F#, C#, G#ABmC#mDEF#mG#dim
E majorC# minor4 ♯F#, C#, G#, D#EF#mG#mABC#mD#dim
B majorG# minor5 ♯F#, C#, G#, D#, A#BC#mD#mEF#G#mA#dim
F# majorD# minor6 ♯F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#F#G#mA#mBC#D#mE#dim
C# majorA# minor7 ♯F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#, B#C#D#mE#mF#G#A#mB#dim
F majorD minor1 ♭BbFGmAmBbCDmEdim
Bb majorG minor2 ♭Bb, EbBbCmDmEbFGmAdim
Eb majorC minor3 ♭Bb, Eb, AbEbFmGmAbBbCmDdim
Ab majorF minor4 ♭Bb, Eb, Ab, DbAbBbmCmDbEbFmGdim
Db majorBb minor5 ♭Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, GbDbEbmFmGbAbBbmCdim
Gb majorEb minor6 ♭Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, CbGbAbmBbmCbDbEbmFdim
Cb majorAb minor7 ♭Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb, FbCbDbmEbmFbGbAbmBbdim

Free Online Exercises

Interactive carousel with 4 music theory exercises. Use the arrow keys or swipe to move between the exercises.