Em7 Guitar Chord
E Minor 7th · E–G–B–D
Em7 is the E minor 7th chord: E–G–B–D. Its sound is mellow and soulful — softer than a plain minor chord, at home in funk, R&B, and jazz ii–V–I progressions.
Em7 softens the E minor triad with a ♭7 (D). It's the standard ii chord in D major — the first chord of the ii–V–I, jazz's most important progression — and a staple of funk vamps and R&B ballads.
The easiest way to play Em7 is the open-position shape (0 2 0 0 0 0, low E string to high E string), which uses open strings and stays in the first few frets. Below you'll find 10 ways to play it across the neck, from open position to barre and shell voicings, with the theory behind the chord and the progressions it lives in.
How to Play Em7: 10 Voicings
Frets are listed from the low E string to the high E string. x = don't play that string, 0 = open string.
Em7 Chord Theory
| Interval | R | ♭3 | 5 | ♭7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note | E | G | B | D |
Em7 is built from the E minor scale.
Em7 Chord FAQ
What notes are in the Em7 chord?
Em7 contains 4 notes: E (R), G (♭3), B (5), D (♭7). The interval formula for a minor 7th chord is R–♭3–5–♭7.
What is the easiest way to play Em7 on guitar?
Use the open-position shape: 0 2 0 0 0 0 (frets listed from the low E string to the high E string, x = don't play that string). It uses open strings, so it needs the least finger strength.
Is Em7 a major or minor chord?
Em7 is built on a minor triad (E–G–B) with the ♭7 added, so it behaves as a minor-family chord.
What keys use the Em7 chord?
Em7 appears diatonically in G major (as vi), D major (as ii), and C major (as iii) — plus it's the home chord (i) of E minor.
Related Chords
Hear yourself play Em7
OpenFret listens to your real guitar through the microphone. Check your chords ring clean in the free Studio, or learn the fretboard by battling monsters in Guitar Quest — free in your browser, no signup needed.