Em7 Chord (E minor 7th) on Guitar
Em7 (E minor 7th) is made of the notes E – G – B – D. The easiest guitar fingering is 020000 (low E to high e; x = muted, 0 = open). It needs only 1 finger, which makes it a good chord for beginners.
Easiest shape
Alternative shape
Higher position
How to play Em7
- Play the 6th string (low E) open (E).
- Press the 5th string (A) at fret 2 (B).
- Play the 4th string (D) open (D).
- Play the 3rd string (G) open (G).
- Play the 2nd string (B) open (B).
- Play the 1st string (high e) open (E).
| String | Fret | Note | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6th string (low E) | 0 (open) | E | R |
| 5th string (A) | 2 | B | 5 |
| 4th string (D) | 0 (open) | D | b7 |
| 3rd string (G) | 0 (open) | G | b3 |
| 2nd string (B) | 0 (open) | B | 5 |
| 1st string (high e) | 0 (open) | E | R |
What is a E minor 7th chord?
A minor 7th chord is a minor triad with a minor seventh added on top.
Notes and formula. Em7 contains E, G, B, D. Counted from the root E, that is R (root), b3 (minor 3rd), 5 (perfect 5th), b7 (minor 7th).
Sound. Mellow, warm and relaxed. It is minor without the sadness of a plain minor triad.
Where it is used. Everywhere in funk, soul, R&B, jazz and lo-fi. It is the ii chord in jazz ii-V-I progressions and a common substitute for the plain minor chord.
Tips for playing Em7
Many minor 7th shapes are easier than the minor chord itself because they lift a finger. Try swapping Am for Am7 in a song you know.
Common mistake: Treating m7 and maj7 as the same. The "m" means the third is minor; the 7 means the seventh is a minor seventh.
Keys that contain Em7
Em7 is a diatonic chord, meaning it occurs naturally without accidentals, in these keys:
- C major – iii chord
- D major – ii chord
- G major – vi chord
- A minor – v chord
- B minor – iv chord
- E minor – i chord
Try it in a progression: browse chord progressions for every key.
Scales to play over Em7
Related chords
Em7 chord FAQ
What notes are in a Em7 chord?
Em7 (E minor 7th) contains the notes E, G, B, D. The formula is R–b3–5–b7 relative to the root E.
How do you play Em7 on guitar?
The most common shape for Em7 is 020000, read from the low E string to the high e string (x = muted, 0 = open, numbers = frets). It needs only 1 finger, which makes it a good chord for beginners.
Is Em7 an easy guitar chord?
It is rated beginner. It needs only 1 finger, which makes it a good chord for beginners.
Which keys contain Em7?
Em7 is a diatonic chord in C major (iii), D major (ii), G major (vi), A minor (v), B minor (iv), E minor (i).
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