E♭ Augmented Seventh Chord
Chord Tones: E♭ Augmented Seventh Chord
Symbol: aug7, +7, 7♯5 — Formula: 1-3-♯5-♭7
| Degree | Note | Frequency (A=440, Equal) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | E♭4 | 311.127 Hz |
| 3 | G4 | 391.995 Hz |
| ♯5 | B4 | 493.883 Hz |
| ♭7 | D♭4 | 277.183 Hz |
Chord Notation
| Notation Type | Symbol / Value |
|---|---|
| Lead Sheet Symbol | E♭aug7 |
| All Common Symbols | aug7, +7, 7♯5 |
| Interval Formula | 1-3-♯5-♭7 |
| Harmonic Category | unstable |
Roman numeral (e.g. I, IV, V) and Nashville Number notation are key-dependent. See Keys pages for chord function within specific keys.
Inversions
| Inversion | Notes (low to high) | Bass Note | Slash Notation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Root Position | E♭4 – G4 – B4 – D♭4 | E♭ | E♭ Augmented Seventh Chord |
| First Inversion | G4 – B4 – D♭4 – E♭4 | G | E♭ Augmented Seventh Chord/G |
| Second Inversion | B4 – D♭4 – E♭4 – G4 | B | E♭ Augmented Seventh Chord/B |
| Third Inversion | D♭4 – E♭4 – G4 – B4 | D♭ | E♭ Augmented Seventh Chord/D♭ |
Harmonic Function
The E♭ augmented seventh chord commonly functions as the mediant (♭III) in C minor or subdominant in B♭ major. Its harmonic role varies by key — in major keys it provides extended harmonic tension.
The augmented seventh chord adds a minor seventh to the augmented triad, combining the restlessness of an augmented fifth with the tension of a dominant seventh. Used for maximum harmonic tension. The E♭ Augmented Seventh Chord specifically contains 4 notes: E♭, G, B, D♭ (formula: 1-3-♯5-♭7). On piano, Eb-rooted chords sit on a black key with white keys nearby, and jazz pianists often find rootless Eb voicings fall naturally under the fingers. R&B, soul, gospel, and Motown music frequently use Eb chords, which provide a warm, rich harmonic bed that complements vocal melodies.
Common Progressions
The E♭ Augmented Seventh Chord frequently appears in these progression patterns (shown in Roman numeral notation relative to key):
Songs Featuring the Augmented Seventh Chord
Well-known songs where the E♭ Augmented Seventh Chord — or this chord type — plays a prominent role:
- Whole Lotta Love – Led Zeppelin
- Come Together – Beatles (chord variant)
- Spanish Key – Miles Davis
Tuning Frequencies Across Temperaments
Frequencies shown at A=440 Hz. View full temperament data for any note.
| Note | Equal Temp. | Pythagorean | Just Intonation |
|---|---|---|---|
| E♭4 | 311.127 Hz | 309.026 Hz | 313.951 Hz |
| G4 | 391.995 Hz | 391.111 Hz | 392.438 Hz |
| B4 | 493.883 Hz | 495.000 Hz | 490.548 Hz |
| D♭4 | 277.183 Hz | 278.437 Hz | 279.067 Hz |
Scales Containing the E♭ Augmented Seventh Chord
These scales include the E♭ Augmented Seventh Chord as a diatonic or characteristic chord: