Em Guitar Chord
E Minor · E–G–B
Em is the E minor chord: E–G–B. Its sound is dark and emotional — the melancholic counterpart to major, built on the flat 3rd.
Em is the relative minor of G major, so the two share every note and swap constantly in songs. You'll also find it as the ii chord in D major and the vi chord in G major — the emotional pivot of countless pop progressions.
The easiest way to play Em is the open-position shape (0 2 2 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 6 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 Em: 6 Voicings
Frets are listed from the low E string to the high E string. x = don't play that string, 0 = open string.
Em Chord Theory
| Interval | R | ♭3 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Note | E | G | B |
Em is built from the E minor scale.
Em Chord FAQ
What notes are in the Em chord?
Em contains 3 notes: E (R), G (♭3), B (5). The interval formula for a minor chord is R–♭3–5.
What is the easiest way to play Em on guitar?
Use the open-position shape: 0 2 2 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.
What is the difference between Em and E?
One note: the 3rd. E major uses the major 3rd (Ab) while E minor flattens it to G. That half-step is the entire difference between the bright minor sound and the darker major sound.
What keys use the Em chord?
Em 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 Em
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