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Em7 chord on guitar

Em7 (E minor seventh) is E, G, B and D. The easiest way to play it is the open Em7 chord, written 020000. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 5th string, 2nd fret. Let the 6th, 4th, 3rd, 2nd and 1st strings ring open.

Em7

E minor seventh · E G B D · 1 ♭3 5 ♭7

  • Open position

    Open chord

    2EBDGBE

    020000

  • Open position

    Open chord

    123EBEGDE

    022030

  • 7th fret

    Barre chord, root on the 5th string

    7fr13121EBDGB

    x79787

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 Em7

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

    020000
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 5th string, 2nd fret.
    • Let the 6th, 4th, 3rd, 2nd and 1st strings ring open.

  2. 2. Open chord · Open position

    022030
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 5th string, 2nd fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 4th string, 2nd fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 2nd string, 3rd fret.
    • Let the 6th, 3rd and 1st strings ring open.

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

    x79787
    • 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.
    • Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

Notes in the Em7 chord

Em7 is E, G, B and D, and it sounds mellow and smooth, the everyday chord of R&B, soul and lo-fi. From E, count 3 half steps up to G, 4 more to B and 3 more to D. Its formula is 1 ♭3 5 ♭7. 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 Em7 piano chord page.

Chords that often come after Em7

A7x02020Em7 to A7 is ii7 to V7, the first half of jazz’s ii–V–I.Cmaj7x32000Em7 to Cmaj7 is i7 to VImaj7, the lift R&B and lo-fi loops are built on.F♯m7242222Em7 to F♯m7 is ii7 to iii7, one step up in the same key.

More guitar chords

Other chords on E

EEmE7Emaj7Esus2Esus4Eadd9E9E6EdimEm7♭5Edim7Eaug

Minor seventh chords on other notes

Cm7C♯m7Dm7E♭m7Fm7F♯m7Gm7G♯m7Am7B♭m7Bm7

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

Frequently asked questions

How do you play Em7 on guitar?

The easiest way to play it is the open Em7 chord, written 020000. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 5th string, 2nd fret. Let the 6th, 4th, 3rd, 2nd and 1st strings ring open.

What notes are in the Em7 chord?

Em7 is E, G, B and D. In the shape written 020000, the 6th to 1st strings play E, B, D, G, B and E.

Is Em7 a barre chord?

It doesn't have to be: 020000 needs no barre. The barre shape (x79787) plays it higher up the neck and moves to any root.

How many ways can you play Em7 on guitar?

This page shows three: 020000 (open position), 022030 (open position) and x79787 (7th fret). Any chord can be played in more places up the neck; these are the ones chord books show first.

Can I make a beat with Em7?

Yes. “Make a beat in E minor” opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in E minor on Em C G D, the key where Em7 is the i7 chord. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account is needed to start.

Make a beat in E minor

Opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in E minor on Em C G D, the key where Em7 is the i7 chord. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account needed to start.

Make a beat in E minorAll guitar chords

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