E Minor Chord (Em) on Guitar
Em (E minor) is made of the notes E – G – B. The easiest guitar fingering is 022000 (low E to high e; x = muted, 0 = open). It uses a barre, so it is more demanding than an open chord. Expect it to take some practice to sound clean.
Easiest shape
Alternative shape
How to play Em
- Play the 6th string (low E) open (E).
- Press the 5th string (A) at fret 2 (B).
- Press the 4th string (D) at fret 2 (E).
- 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) | 2 | E | R |
| 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 chord?
A minor chord replaces the major third with a minor third, a half step lower. The root and perfect fifth stay the same.
Notes and formula. Em contains E, G, B. Counted from the root E, that is R (root), b3 (minor 3rd), 5 (perfect 5th).
Sound. Darker, more emotional and introspective than the major version of the same chord.
Where it is used. Minor chords give songs tension and melancholy. In a major key the ii, iii and vi chords are minor, and the vi chord is the relative minor, a favourite for ballads.
Tips for playing Em
Learn each minor chord as a "major chord with one finger moved". Hearing the single-note change trains your ear to tell major from minor.
Common mistake: Playing the major shape by habit. Check the third: if you hear a bright sound where a sad one is needed, the third is wrong.
Keys that contain Em
Em 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 Em
Related chords
Em chord FAQ
What notes are in a Em chord?
Em (E minor) contains the notes E, G, B. The formula is R–b3–5 relative to the root E.
How do you play Em on guitar?
The most common shape for Em is 022000, read from the low E string to the high e string (x = muted, 0 = open, numbers = frets). It uses a barre, so it is more demanding than an open chord. Expect it to take some practice to sound clean.
Is Em an easy guitar chord?
It is rated intermediate. It uses a barre, so it is more demanding than an open chord. Expect it to take some practice to sound clean.
Which keys contain Em?
Em 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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