E minor chord on ukulele (Em)

Em is E, G and B. The easiest shape is 0-4-3-2. Hit Play and watch each string light as it sounds.

0-4-3-2 · open · easy

Notes: E · G · B
Formula: 1 · ♭3 · 5
First shape: 0-4-3-2

How to play Em on ukulele

Shape 1, 0-4-3-2, reading from the G string on the left:

Index finger: A string, 2nd fret (B).
Middle finger: E string, 3rd fret (G).
Ring finger: C string, 4th fret (E).
Let the open G string ring (G).

If an open string sounds dead, a fingertip is leaning on it. Come down more on the tips, with your knuckles bent.
Strum with the pad of your index finger or thumb, all four strings, across the spot where the neck meets the body.

Other ways to play Em

9-7-7-7: movable shape at the 7th fret, medium. Up the neck the chord gets thinner and brighter, a good contrast to the open version.
12-11-12-10: movable shape at the 10th fret, medium. Up the neck the chord gets thinner and brighter, a good contrast to the open version.

Capo shortcuts for Em

A capo turns an open chord into Em: capo on the 2nd fret and play the open Dm shape (2-2-1-0), capo on the 4th fret and play the open Cm shape (0-3-3-3), capo on the 5th fret and play the open Bm shape (4-2-2-2) or capo on the 7th fret and play the open Am shape (2-0-0-0). Handy when the rest of the song's chords also have open shapes in that position.

Changing from Em to the chords around it

The chords Em usually goes to, and what changes under your fingers.

A (V in D major): Em (0-4-3-2) to A (2-1-0-0): your index finger lands on the C string, 1st fret, the middle finger goes to the G string, 2nd fret. Listen for E, which stays put while the rest moves. A on ukulele
G (IV in D major): Em (0-4-3-2) to G (0-2-3-2): move the index finger to the C string, 2nd fret, move the middle finger to the A string, 2nd fret, your ring finger lands on the E string, 3rd fret. No finger can stay, so practice lifting all of them together and landing the new shape as a unit. G and B carry over from one chord to the other. G on ukulele
D (I in D major): Em (0-4-3-2) to D (2-2-2-0): the index finger goes to the G string, 2nd fret, your middle finger lands on the C string, 2nd fret, move the ring finger to the E string, 2nd fret. No finger can stay, so practice lifting all of them together and landing the new shape as a unit. D on ukulele

Minor chords sound shaded compared with major ones. All 3 notes of Em fit on the ukulele's four strings, with one of them doubled. Play it once strummed and once picked to hear the difference.

Getting Em under your fingers

Pick shape 1 one string at a time, low to high: G, E, G, B. Every note should ring clearly; if one thuds, adjust that finger before you strum. Then switch to 9-7-7-7 and back four times without looking at your hand.

Where Em shows up

In E minor, i–VI–III–VII on ukulele is Em (0-4-3-2), C (0-0-0-3), G (0-2-3-2) and D (2-2-2-0). About the minor anthem.

In E minor, i–iv–V on ukulele is Em (0-4-3-2), Am (2-0-0-0) and B (4-3-2-2). About the minor cadence.

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

Em on guitar and piano

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

Close to Em

Other minor chords

Em on ukulele: questions

What notes are in Em on ukulele?

E, G and B. In the 0-4-3-2 shape the strings play G (G string, open), E (C string), G (E string) and B (A string), so G is doubled.

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

0-4-3-2, shape 1 above. No barre: some strings ring open.

Is Em a barre chord on ukulele?

Not the usual shape: 0-4-3-2 needs no barre.

Which string does Em start on?

In the 0-4-3-2 shape the lowest string you play is the G string, open, which is G, the minor third.

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