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E minor chord on guitar

E minor is E, G and B. The easiest way to play it is the open Em chord, written 022000. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 5th string, 2nd fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 2nd fret. Let the 6th, 3rd, 2nd and 1st strings ring open.

Em

E minor · E G B · 1 ♭3 5

  • Open position

    Open chord

    23EBEGBE

    022000

  • 7th fret

    Barre chord, root on the 5th string

    7fr13421EBEGB

    x79987

Or pick another chord to see and hear it

Root
Chord

Dots show where each finger goes, numbered 1 (index) to 4 (little); the green ones are E, the root.

How to play E minor

Strings are counted from the thinnest: the 1st is the high E and the 6th the low E. Each shape is written as tab from the 6th string to the 1st, a number for the fret to press, 0 for an open string and x for one not played.

  1. 1. Open chord · Open position

    022000
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 5th string, 2nd fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 2nd fret.
    • Let the 6th, 3rd, 2nd and 1st strings ring open.

  2. 2. Barre chord, root on the 5th string · 7th fret

    x79987
    • Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 5th to 1st strings at the 7th fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 2nd string, 8th fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 9th fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 3rd string, 9th fret.
    • Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

Notes in the E minor chord

E minor is E, G and B, and it sounds darker and softer than major, the sad or serious colour. From E, count 3 half steps up to G and 4 more to B. Its formula is 1 ♭3 5. The shapes above play these notes in different orders and octaves, some more than once, but always with E lowest. See its inversions and keys on the E minor piano chord page.

Chords that often come after Em

Cx32010Em to C is i to VI, the start of the classic minor loop i–VI–III–VII.Amx02210Em to Am is i to iv: darker and heavier, a ballad’s move.Dxx0232Em to D is i to VII, the step down that rock and film music lean on.

More guitar chords

Other chords on E

EE7Emaj7Em7Esus2Esus4Eadd9E9E6EdimEm7♭5Edim7Eaug

Minor chords on other notes

CmC♯mDmE♭mFmF♯mGmG♯mAmB♭mBm

Or see every chord at once on the guitar chord chart.

Frequently asked questions

How do you play E minor on guitar?

The easiest way to play it is the open Em chord, written 022000. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 5th string, 2nd fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 2nd fret. Let the 6th, 3rd, 2nd and 1st strings ring open.

What notes are in the E minor chord?

E minor is E, G and B. In the shape written 022000, the 6th to 1st strings play E, B, E, G, B and E.

Is Em a barre chord?

It doesn't have to be: 022000 needs no barre. The barre shape (x79987) plays it higher up the neck and moves to any root.

How many ways can you play Em on guitar?

This page shows two: 022000 (open position) and x79987 (7th fret). Any chord can be played in more places up the neck; these are the ones chord books show first.

What is the difference between E and Em on guitar?

One note, the third. E major is E G♯ B and E minor is E G B: G is a half step below G♯. In the barre shapes, that is one string's note moving down a fret.

Can I make a beat with E minor?

Yes. “Make a beat with this chord” opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in E minor on Em C G D, starting on Em. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account is needed to start.

Make a beat with E minor

Opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in E minor on Em C G D, starting on Em. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account needed to start.

Make a beat with this chordAll guitar chords

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