Eb Major
Key Signature
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tonic | Eb |
| Mode | Major |
| Accidentals | 3 flats |
| Key Signature Notes | Bb, Eb, Ab |
Eb major has three flats and a rich, full sound well suited to brass instruments. It is widely used in jazz, classical music, and is the home key for Eb instruments.
Diatonic Chords
The seven diatonic chords of Eb Major — each built on a scale degree using only the notes of the key signature:
| Degree | Roman Numeral | Chord Type | Chord |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I | Major | Eb Major |
| 2 | ii | Minor | F Minor |
| 3 | iii | Minor | G Minor |
| 4 | IV | Major | Ab Major |
| 5 | V | Major | Bb Major |
| 6 | vi | Minor | C Minor |
| 7 | vii° | Diminished | D Diminished |
Related Keys
- Relative Minor
- C Minor — shares the same key signature.
- Parallel Minor
- Eb Minor — same tonic, different key signature.
See all key relationships on the Circle of Fifths.
Scales in Eb Major
Common scales built from the Eb tonic:
Transposing Instrument Context
Bb instruments (trumpet, clarinet, tenor saxophone) read in F major to sound Eb Major. Eb instruments (alto saxophone, Eb clarinet) read in C major to sound Eb Major. Flat-key signatures are particularly comfortable for woodwind instruments designed around Bb and Eb transpositions.