Harmonic Circles
Harmonic Circle of Eb Major (Eb)
I – vi – ii – V7Harmonic progression with an interactive player and guitar diagrams.
Sequence and Tonal Functions of the Circle Eb
To achieve smooth chord transitions, always identify anchor fingers (common notes held on the fretboard) and keep your wrist relaxed without sudden arm movements. Practice the loop at a slow tempo before speeding up.
How the chords connect in Eb major
The progression
Eb, Cm, Fm and Bb7 make up the Eb major circle, as degrees I, vi, ii and V7.
The notes of each chord
Eb holds Eb, G and Bb. In Cm you hear C, Eb and G. Fm holds F, Ab and C. In Bb7 you hear Bb, D, F and Ab.
From one chord to the next
Eb and Cm share Eb and G, though the hand changes shape. From Cm to Fm, C stays, and one hand position stays put. Fm and Bb7 keep F and Ab in common. Also, three hand positions stay put.
Back to the start
Going back from Bb7 to Eb, D rises a semitone to Eb and Ab falls a semitone to G. The two chords share Bb.
The hand
Eb needs a barre at fret 6, leaving string 6 unplayed. Cm takes a barre at fret 3, leaving string 6 unplayed. Fm needs a barre at fret 1. Bb7 takes a barre at fret 1, leaving string 6 unplayed. The highest fret in the circle is fret 8, in Eb. Eb, Cm, Fm and Bb7 use a barre.
Eb harmonic circle diagram
Thanks for studying with CifraLab
A free and open study tool. If this circle helped you, support the project by buying us a coffee.
Key map: Eb
- Key signature
- 3 flats
- Scale notes
- Eb – F – G – Ab – Bb – C – D
- Relative key
- Cm
- How to play it with a capo
- D shapes + capo on fret 1C shapes + capo on fret 3A shapes + capo on fret 6
Download the printable A4 sheet (this circle and 3 more)The Eb circle for guitar
The thumb plays the 5th string for Eb, Cm, and Bb7 and the 6th string for Fm.
Show tab and notation
Show the piano version (grand staff)
The Eb circle on the staff
The left hand plays Eb, C, F, and Bb in the bass.
Loading score…
Show the notes as text, beat by beat
Bar 1 · Eb
| Count | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand (RH) | Bb4G4Eb4 | Bb4G4Eb4 | ||
| Left hand (LH) | Eb3 | Bb3 |
Bar 2 · Cm
| Count | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand (RH) | G4Eb4C4 | G4Eb4C4 | ||
| Left hand (LH) | C3 | G3 |
Bar 3 · Fm
| Count | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand (RH) | C5Ab4F4 | C5Ab4F4 | ||
| Left hand (LH) | F2 | C3 |
Bar 4 · Bb7
| Count | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand (RH) | Ab4F4D4Bb3 | Ab4F4D4Bb3 | ||
| Left hand (LH) | Bb2 | F3 |
Famous Songs Using the Circle (Eb)
Well-known songs that use this progression
"Virtual Insanity"
Ebm7 - Ab7 - Dbmaj7Contemporary R&B with 7th and 9th extensions in Eb.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Circle (Eb)
Concrete, direct answers on fingering, strumming, and music theory
Which chords make up the Eb harmonic circle and what order are they played in?
The Eb harmonic circle consists of four chords following the I - vi - ii - V7 formula: Eb - Cm - Fm - Bb7. In guitar practice, it is played in 4/4 time, typically giving one measure (4 beats) to each chord before transitioning to the next in a seamless loop.
What famous songs use the Eb harmonic circle?
The Eb circle is a timeless progression widely used in acoustic pop, classic rock, and folk ballads. Its cyclical movement (Eb - Cm - Fm - Bb7) supports hundreds of well-known vocal melodies.
What is the harmonic function of each chord in the Eb circle?
In the Eb circle, the first chord (Eb) provides the home tonic (Degree I/i); the second (Cm) introduces relative contrast; the third (Fm) prepares motion; and the fourth (Bb7) creates dominant seventh tension (V7) resolving smoothly back to the tonic.
What is the best strumming pattern to practice the Eb harmonic circle?
To build muscle memory and steady rhythm on the Eb circle, practice with a Pop Ballad or Acoustic Strumming pattern at 75 to 85 BPM. Emphasize the root bass note on beat 1 followed by relaxed down and up strums on beats 2, 3, and 4.
Want to know how each chord feels?
Discover how the brain experiences Home, The Landscape, The Adventure, and The Return