How to play the Eb69 chord on guitar

The Eb69 chord, pronounced "E flat six nine," is a rich and versatile guitar voicing. It's built on an Eb major triad with an added sixth and ninth, creating a lush, jazzy sound. The Eb69 is often used in genres like jazz, R&B, and neo-soul, adding sophistication to progressions and melodies. Notable songs featuring this chord include "Never Too Much" by Luther Vandross.

The most popular way to play an Eb69 chord on guitar is as a barre chord on the 6th fret.

Follow these finger positions to play an Eb69 chord on your guitar:

1. Use your index finger to barre the strings at the 6th fret, covering all six strings.
2. Place your middle finger on the 7th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
3. Place your pinky finger on the 8th fret of the 2nd (B) string.
4. Place your ring finger on the 8th fret of the 1st (high E) string.

To strum this chord, use your pick or thumb to strum downward, hitting all six strings. Alternatively, you can pluck the individual strings one at a time for a more arpeggiated sound.

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the Eb69 chord, try playing an Eb major chord instead. Place your index finger on the 6th fret of the 1st (high E) string, your middle finger on the 8th fret of the 5th (A) string, and your ring finger on the 8th fret of the 4th (D) string.

Playing the Eb69 chord as a barre chord can be a great way to add variety and fullness to your guitar playing. While there are easier ways to play an Eb69 chord, learning the barre chord version will help you master the fretboard and movable chord shapes.

Here's how to play an Eb69 barre chord:

1. Place your index finger across all six strings at the 6th fret to form the 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 low to high.

The Eb69 chord, a variation of the Eb major chord with an added sixth and ninth, is often used in progressions to create a dreamy, nostalgic, or bittersweet emotional atmosphere. Here are some common chord progressions featuring the Eb69 chord:

• I - vi - IV - V (Eb69 - Cm7 - Ab7 - Bb7)
• I - iii - vi - V (Eb69 - Gm7 - Cm7 - Bb7) Used in "Moonlight in Vermont" and "Misty"
• I - vi - ii - V (Eb69 - Cm7 - Fm7 - Bb7)
• I - IV - vii° - iii - vi - ii - V (Eb69 - Ab7 - D°7 - Gm7 - Cm7 - Fm7 - Bb7)
• I - iii - ii - V (Eb69 - Gm7 - Fm7 - Bb7)

To master the Eb69 chord, try playing the individual notes (Eb, G, Bb, C, and F) one at a time, focusing on each note's clarity and tone. Practice transitioning between these notes smoothly and efficiently.

Another effective drill is to practice strumming the Eb69 chord in various rhythmic patterns, such as quarter notes, eighth notes, or a combination of both. This will help you develop muscle memory and improve your timing when playing the chord in different musical contexts.

Here are 10 popular songs you can play with the Eb6/9 chord.

1. Hold On, We're Going Home by Drake (Eb6/9, Bbm7, Cm7, Abmaj7)
2. The Star-Spangled Banner by John Stafford Smith (Eb6/9, Ab, Bb7, Eb)
3. True Colors by Cyndi Lauper (Eb6/9, Ab, Cm7, Bb)
4. Unchained Melody by The Righteous Brothers (Eb6/9, Bb, Cm, Ab)
5. Killing Me Softly with His Song by Roberta Flack (Eb6/9, Gm7, Cm7, F7)
6. A Thousand Years by Christina Perri (Eb6/9, Ab, Cm, Bb)
7. My Immortal by Evanescence (Eb6/9, Bbm, Abmaj7, Db)
8. Chances Are by Johnny Mathis (Eb6/9, Cm7, Fm7, Bb7)
9. Moon River by Henry Mancini (Eb6/9, Cm7, Fm7, Bb7)
10. All of Me by John Legend (Eb6/9, Ab, Cm, Bb)