Em chord (E minor) on guitar
Em (E minor) has three notes: E, G and B. Its formula is 1, b3, 5. In major keys, Em is the ii chord in D major, the iii in C major and the vi in G major.
Em chord shapes
Fingers: 1 on A, 2 on D.
Fingers: 1 on A, 2 on D, 3 on e.
Fingers: 4 on A, 2 on D, 1 on G, 3 on B.
Fingers: 4 on A, 2 on D, 1 on G.
Fingers: 3 on A, 1 on D.
Fingers: 1 on A, 3 on D, 4 on G, 2 on B.
Hear it and see every shape in ScaleSpace →
| Symbol | Em |
|---|---|
| Also written | Emin, E- |
| Notes | E G B |
| Formula | 1 b3 5 |
| Intervals | root, minor third, perfect fifth |
| Type | Minor chord |
Em across the neck
Guitar · 6-string, tuned low to high: E, A, D, G, B, e. 24 frets.
- E string: fret 0 E (1), fret 3 G (flat 3), fret 7 B (5), fret 12 E (1), fret 15 G (flat 3), fret 19 B (5), fret 24 E (1).
- A string: fret 2 B (5), fret 7 E (1), fret 10 G (flat 3), fret 14 B (5), fret 19 E (1), fret 22 G (flat 3).
- D string: fret 2 E (1), fret 5 G (flat 3), fret 9 B (5), fret 14 E (1), fret 17 G (flat 3), fret 21 B (5).
- G string: fret 0 G (flat 3), fret 4 B (5), fret 9 E (1), fret 12 G (flat 3), fret 16 B (5), fret 21 E (1), fret 24 G (flat 3).
- B string: fret 0 B (5), fret 5 E (1), fret 8 G (flat 3), fret 12 B (5), fret 17 E (1), fret 20 G (flat 3), fret 24 B (5).
- e string: fret 0 E (1), fret 3 G (flat 3), fret 7 B (5), fret 12 E (1), fret 15 G (flat 3), fret 19 B (5), fret 24 E (1).
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Questions
What notes are in the Em chord?
Em (E minor) has three notes: E, G and B. Its formula is 1, b3, 5. E is the root, G is the minor third and B is the perfect fifth.
How do you play Em on guitar?
The easiest shape is 022000. Fingers: 1 on A, 2 on D.
What key is Em in?
In major keys, Em is the ii chord in D major, the iii in C major and the vi in G major. It is diatonic to those keys, so it fits songs in any of them.
What is the difference between Em and E?
Em has a minor 3rd, G. E major raises it a half step to G#. The root and 5th stay the same.