E minor chord (Em)
Em is E, G and B: 1–♭3–5 built on E. Below: guitar, piano and ukulele, each playable.
On guitar
0-2-2-0-0-0 · open · easy
- Notes
- E · G · B
- Formula
- 1 · ♭3 · 5
- First shape
- 0-2-2-0-0-0
Em on guitar: every shape, finger by finger
On piano
root position · E–G–B · right hand 1-3-5
- Notes
- E · G · B
- Formula
- 1 · ♭3 · 5
Em on piano: fingering and inversions
On ukulele
0-4-3-2 · open · easy
- Notes
- E · G · B
- Formula
- 1 · ♭3 · 5
- First shape
- 0-4-3-2
Where Em usually goes next
Three changes cover most of what Em does in songs.
- Em → A (V in D major)
Guitar: Em (0-2-2-0-0-0) to A (x-0-2-2-2-0): the index finger slides across to the D string at the same fret, the middle finger slides across to the G string at the same fret, the ring finger comes down on the B string, 2nd fret. No finger can stay, so practice lifting all of them together and landing the new shape as a unit. Shared note: E.
Piano: Em to A: play A in 2nd inversion (E–A–C♯) and E stays under the same finger, while G moves up to A and B up to C♯. A - Em → G (IV in D major)
Guitar: Em (0-2-2-0-0-0) to G (3-2-0-0-0-3): your index finger stays put, move the middle finger to the low E string, 3rd fret, the ring finger comes down on the high E string, 3rd fret. The two chords share G and B, which is why the change sounds smooth.
Piano: Em to G: play G in 2nd inversion (D–G–B) and G and B stay under the same fingers, while E moves down to D. G - Em → D (I in D major)
Guitar: Em (0-2-2-0-0-0) to D (x-x-0-2-3-2): the index finger goes to the G string, 2nd fret, your middle finger lands on the high E string, 2nd fret, the ring finger comes down on the B string, 3rd fret. Nothing carries over, so drill it slowly, lifting and landing all fingers at once.
Piano: Em to D: play D in root position (D–F♯–A), while E moves down to D, G down to F♯ and B down to A. D
Guitar with a capo: capo 2, Dm shape; capo 7, Am shape. Ukulele with a capo: capo 2, Dm shape; capo 4, Cm shape; capo 5, Bm shape; capo 7, Am shape.
How Em is built
Minor chords sound shaded compared with major ones. Swap Em for E major and only one note moves, yet the mood changes completely.
Start on E, count 3 half steps up to G then 4 half steps up to B.
| Note | Role | Half steps | Hear it |
|---|---|---|---|
| E | root | 0 | |
| G | minor third | 3 | |
| B | perfect fifth | 7 |
Keys and progressions with Em
In major keys, Em is ii in D major, iii in C major and vi in G major. In minor keys it is i in E minor, iv in B minor and v in A minor.
In E minor, i–VI–III–VII is Em – C – G – D. the minor anthem
i–iv–V in E minor runs Em – Am – B – Em. the minor cadence
Play i–VII–VI–V in E minor and you get Em – D – C – B. the Andalusian cadence
Em – D – C – D: that's i–VII–VI–VII in the key of E minor. the epic minor loop
Chords close to Em
- Em and E differ by one note: G in Em, G♯ in E. They share E and B. E
- Em and G differ by one note: E in Em, D in G. They share G and B. G
Chords that share most of their notes with Em: Cmaj7, C♯m7♭5, Em7, Em6, G6, A9.
Every E chord
E minor chord: questions
What notes are in the E minor chord?
E, G and B. Em is built 1–♭3–5 from E: G is the minor third and B is the perfect fifth.
How do you play Em on guitar?
The usual shape is 0-2-2-0-0-0 (open). All 3 guitar shapes.
How do you play Em on piano?
Play E, G and B with right-hand fingers 1-3-5. E sits just right of the pair of black keys. Inversions and left hand.
How do you play Em on ukulele?
0-4-3-2 in standard GCEA tuning. More ukulele shapes.
What key is Em in?
In major keys, Em is ii in D major, iii in C major and vi in G major. In minor keys it is i in E minor, iv in B minor and v in A minor.
What's the difference between Em and E?
Em and E differ by one note: G in Em, G♯ in E. They share E and B.
All three instruments are drawn and played from E, G and B by the same engine. Updated September 2026.