E Minor Chord

How to play Em on guitar

Read the diagrams with the low E string on the left. × means do not play that string, ○ means play it open.

How to play Em on piano

Play E, G, B together. With your right hand, use fingers 1, 3 and 5 (thumb on E). Your left hand can play E an octave lower for a fuller sound.

Chords in the key of E minor

These seven chords are built from the E minor scale (E, F♯, G, A, B, C, D), so they all sound at home next to Em.

Common progressions in E minor

• i - VI - III - VII: Em - C - G - D
• i - iv - v - i: Em - Am - Bm - Em
• i - VII - VI - VII: Em - D - C - D

The relative major of E minor is G. Both keys use the same notes. On the Camelot wheel, E minor is 9A.

Related chords

• E (E major)
• E7 (E seventh)
• Emaj7 (E major seventh)
• Em7 (E minor seventh)
• Esus4 (E suspended fourth)
• All chords in the library

Change this chord into another key with the Chord Transposer, or look up any other chord or scale in the Chord and Scale Finder.