How to play the Eb7 chord on guitar

The Eb7 chord, pronounced "E flat dominant seventh," is a commonly used chord in various musical genres. It adds a bluesy, soulful flavor to progressions and is often found in jazz, blues, and rock music. Notable songs featuring the Eb7 chord include "Sweet Home Chicago" by Robert Johnson and "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" by Marvin Gaye. Learning Eb7 is essential for aspiring guitarists.

The standard way to play the Eb7 chord on guitar is as a barre chord on the 6th fret.

Follow these finger positions to play a Eb7 chord on your guitar:

1. Place your index finger on the 6th fret of the 1st (high E), 2nd (B), 3rd (G), 4th (D), 5th (A), and 6th (low E) strings, forming a barre.
2. Place your middle finger on the 7th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 8th fret of the 5th (A) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 8th fret of the 4th (D) string.

To strum this chord, start from the 6th (low E) string and strum downwards, ensuring that each string rings out clearly.

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the Eb7 chord, try this:

1. Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the 3rd (G) string.
2. Place your middle finger on the 3rd fret of the 4th (D) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the 2nd (B) string.
4. Strum only these three strings.

The Eb7 barre chord is a great alternative to the standard Eb7 chord, as it allows for easier transitions and a fuller sound.

Here's how to play an Eb7 barre chord:

1. Place your index finger across all six strings on the 6th fret, creating a barre.
2. Place your middle finger on the 7th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 8th fret of the 5th (A) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 8th fret of the 4th (D) string.
5. Strum all six strings from the low E string down to the high E string.

The Eb7 chord is often used to add a bluesy, jazzy, or soulful feel to chord progressions, creating a sense of tension and resolution. Some common chord progressions featuring the Eb7 chord include:

• I-vi-ii-V7 (Eb-Cm-Fm-Bb7) - Used in "Fly Me to the Moon" and "Girl from Ipanema"
• I-vi-IV-V7 (Eb-Cm-Ab-Bb7) - Used in "Autumn Leaves" and "Misty"
• I-IV-V7 (Eb-Ab-Bb7) - Used in "Sweet Georgia Brown" and "Route 66"
• ii-V7-I (Fm-Bb7-Eb) - Used in "All the Things You Are" and "Stella by Starlight"
• iii-VI-ii-V7 (Gm-C-Fm-Bb7) - Used in "My Funny Valentine" and "Summertime"

To master the Eb7 guitar chord, one effective drill is to practice playing each note individually. Focus on cleanly fretting and plucking the Eb, G, Bb, and Db notes. Once you can play each note clearly, try transitioning between them smoothly.

Another helpful drill is to practice strumming the Eb7 chord in various rhythms. Start with simple, steady strumming patterns and gradually incorporate more complex rhythms. Pay attention to maintaining a consistent sound and avoiding any buzzing or muted strings. With regular practice, your Eb7 will sound polished and confident in no time!

Here are 10 popular songs you can play with the Eb7 chord.

1. Shout by The Isley Brothers (Eb7, Db7, Gb7, F7)
2. Superstition by Stevie Wonder (Eb7, Cm7, Fm7, Bb7)
3. I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye (Eb7, Cm7, Ab7, Bb7)
4. Watermelon Man by Herbie Hancock (Eb7, F7)
5. The Thrill Is Gone by B.B. King (Eb7, Bb7, Cm7, Ab7)
6. Moanin' by Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers (Eb7, Bb7, Cm7, F7)
7. Killer Joe by Benny Golson (Eb7, Ab7, Db7, Gb7)
8. Stormy Monday by T-Bone Walker (Eb7, Ab7, Bb7, Cm7)
9. All Blues by Miles Davis (Eb7, Bb7, Cm7, Gm7)
10. Work Song by Nat Adderley (Eb7, Bb7, Cm7)