E minor chord on guitar (Em)

Em is E, G and B. The easiest shape is 0-2-2-0-0-0. Press Play to hear it, then try it at half speed.

0-2-2-0-0-0 · open · easy

Notes: E · G · B
Formula: 1 · ♭3 · 5
First shape: 0-2-2-0-0-0

How to play Em on guitar

Shape 1, 0-2-2-0-0-0, reading from the low E string on the left:

Put your index finger on the A string at the 2nd fret, which is B.
Put your middle finger on the D string at the 2nd fret, which is E.
The open low E, G, B and high E strings add E, G, B and E; don't touch them.

If an open string sounds dead, a fingertip is leaning on it. Come down more on the tips, with your knuckles bent.

Other ways to play Em

12-14-14-12-12-12: barre shape at the 12th fret, medium. The root is on the low E string, so you can slide this shape to play any minor chord.
x-7-9-9-8-7: barre shape at the 7th fret, medium. The root is on the A string; it's the Am shape moved up the neck.

Em the capo way

A capo turns an open chord into Em: capo on the 2nd fret and play the open Dm shape (x-x-0-2-3-1) or capo on the 7th fret and play the open Am shape (x-0-2-2-1-0). Handy when the rest of the song's chords also have open shapes in that position.

Moving between Em and its neighbours

These are the changes you'll meet most often with Em, using the first shape of each chord.

A (V in D major): 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. A on guitar
G (IV in D major): 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. G on guitar
D (I in D major): 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. D on guitar

Minor chords sound shaded compared with major ones. A minor chord softens a progression. Try Em right after E major to hear how much one note changes. On guitar you hear it best picked slowly, string by string.

Getting Em under your fingers

Pick shape 1 one string at a time, low to high: E, B, E, G, B, E. Every note should ring clearly; if one thuds, adjust that finger before you strum. Then switch to 12-14-14-12-12-12 and back four times without looking at your hand.

Keys and progressions with Em

In E minor, i–VI–III–VII on guitar is Em (0-2-2-0-0-0), C (x-3-2-0-1-0), G (3-2-0-0-0-3) and D (x-x-0-2-3-2). About the minor anthem.

In E minor, i–iv–V on guitar is Em (0-2-2-0-0-0), Am (x-0-2-2-1-0) and B (x-2-4-4-4-2). About the minor cadence.

In E minor, i–VII–VI–V on guitar is Em (0-2-2-0-0-0), D (x-x-0-2-3-2), C (x-3-2-0-1-0) and B (x-2-4-4-4-2). About the Andalusian cadence.

Em on piano and ukulele

The same notes on another instrument: Em on piano and Em on ukulele. This page puts all three side by side.

Close to Em

Other minor chords

Em on guitar: questions

What notes are in Em on guitar?

E, G and B. In the 0-2-2-0-0-0 shape the strings play E (low E string, open), B (A string), E (D string), G (G string, open), B (B string, open) and E (high E string, open), so E and B are doubled.

What's the easiest way to play Em on guitar?

0-2-2-0-0-0, shape 1 above. No barre: some strings ring open.

Is Em a barre chord on guitar?

Not usually: 0-2-2-0-0-0 needs no barre. There are barre versions further up the neck, shown below it.

Which string does Em start on?

In the 0-2-2-0-0-0 shape the lowest string you play is the low E string, open, which is E, the root.

Every shape above plays only E, G and B, checked by the site's tests. Updated September 2026.