Eb Major Circle (Eb)
I - vi - ii - V7 progression in Eb major with C minor and Bb7
Eb major leaves string 4 open, places fingers 2 and 3 on fret 3 of strings 3 and 2, and finger 1 on fret 1 of string 1. Moving to C minor lay a half-barre across fret 3 of strings 3, 2, and 1 leaving string 4 open. For F minor place fingers 1, 2, and 4 on frets 1, 1, and 3. For Bb7 lay a flat barre across fret 1 and add finger 2 on fret 2 of string 3.
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. At 86 beats per minute, each bar of 4/4 lasts about 2.8 seconds and the whole round about 11.2.
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 keep Eb and G in common. Also, two hand positions stay put. From Cm to Fm, C stays, and one hand position stays put. Fm and Bb7 keep F and Ab in common. Also, two 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 presses three positions and leaves string 4 open. Cm takes a barre at fret 3. Fm presses three positions and leaves string 3 open. Bb7 takes a barre at fret 1. The highest fret in the circle is fret 3, in Eb. Cm and Bb7 use a barre.
Key map: Eb
- Key signature
- 3 flats
- Scale notes
- Eb – F – G – Ab – Bb – C – D
The 7 chords of the key
- IEb
- iiFm
- iiiGm
- IVAb
- VBb
- viCm
- vii°Ddim
- Relative key
- Cm
Eb Major Circle (Eb) circle for ukulele
Eb 0331 · Cm 0333 · Fm 1013 · Bb7 1211
Show ukulele tab and notation
Questions about this ukulele circle
How do you keep E flat major ringing clean without muting the open string 4?
Arch the knuckles of fingers 2 and 3 so their pads do not brush against string 4 G which needs to ring freely.
Why is C minor so resonant on ukulele?
Because the open fourth string G provides an open fifth that deepens the chords barred or pressed at fret 3.
Which rhythm enhances the sound of E flat?
A steady strum at 86 BPM with light accents on beats two and four highlights the harmonic flow between flat chords.