The short version
- Em7 is E minor seventh. Its notes are E, G, B and D (formula 1 – ♭3 – 5 – ♭7).
- Easiest way to play it: the open shape, frets 0 2 2 0 3 0 from low E to high E (x = don’t play).
- It sounds mellow, cool and smooth. Use it as the ii in a ii–V–I, as a softer vi, or vamp on it for funk, R&B and neo-soul grooves.
- Em7 turns up in 6 keys: C major (as the iii7), G major (as the vi7), D major (as the ii7), A minor (as the v7) and E minor (as the i7), and more in the table below.
- Try it in: Em7 – A7 – Dmaj7 – Dmaj7, jazz’s favourite handshake, with this chord as the ii.
How to play Em7 on guitar, step by step
Start with the shape marked “Start here” above: the open chord, the easiest way in.
- Put your index finger on fret 2 of the 5th (A) string.
- Put your middle finger on fret 2 of the 4th (D) string.
- Put your ring finger on fret 3 of the 2nd (B) string.
- Let the low E, G and high E strings ring open.
- Strum from the 6th (low E) string down, then press Strum on this page to check it sounds the same.
Once that’s comfy, try the other shape. Shape 2 is the barre chord, root on the 5th string (7th fret): x 7 9 7 8 7. Same chord, different spot on the neck, which helps when the next chord lives nearby.
Buzzing? Press just behind the fret wire, not in the middle of the fret, and come down on your fingertips so they don’t touch the next string. Then press Strum and play along: if yours sounds duller, one string is muted somewhere.
Notes in the Em7 chord
Em7 is built from 4 notes. On guitar you’ll often play some of them twice, on different strings. That’s normal; the chord is still Em7.
| Note | Interval | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| E | 1 root | Names the chord and anchors the bass. |
| G | ♭3 minor third | Makes it minor (sad). |
| B | 5 perfect fifth | Adds weight; often the first note left out. |
| D | ♭7 minor (flat) seventh | The bluesy pull towards the next chord. |
What Em7 sounds like, and when to use it
A minor chord with a flat seventh added. Softer and cooler than a plain minor: less “rainy train window”, more “lo-fi beats to study to”. Use it as the ii in a ii–V–I, as a softer vi, or vamp on it for funk, R&B and neo-soul grooves.
What key is Em7 in?
Em7 turns up in 6 keys: C major (as the iii7), G major (as the vi7), D major (as the ii7), A minor (as the v7) and E minor (as the i7), and more in the table below. Tap a key to see the rest of its chords on the circle of fifths.
| Key | Numeral | Spelled as |
|---|---|---|
| C major | iii7 | Em7 |
| G major | vi7 | Em7 |
| D major | ii7 | Em7 |
| A minor | v7 | Em7 |
| E minor | i7 | Em7 |
| B minor | iv7 | Em7 |
Chords that go with Em7
Here’s a progression to try: Em7 – A7 – Dmaj7 – Dmaj7 (ii7–V7–Imaj7), jazz’s favourite handshake, with this chord as the ii.
More progressions → Transpose it →
Using Em7 in a Suno prompt
Suno pays attention to chord names in a style prompt, at least some of the time. Put the progression in, keep the BPM, and let it fill in the rest. Then compare its guitar part with the shapes above.
Lo-fi hip hop, 82 BPM, chord progression Em7 – A7 – Dmaj7 – Dmaj7, mellow minor seventh chords, dusty drums, warm Rhodes, jazzy guitar, chill and late-night
Em7 chord FAQ
What notes are in the Em7 chord?
Em7 has 4 notes: E (the root), G (the minor third), B (the perfect fifth) and D (the minor (flat) seventh). The chord formula is 1 – ♭3 – 5 – ♭7.
How do you play Em7 on guitar?
The easy way is open chord. Strings from low E to high E: 0 2 2 0 3 0 (x means don’t play that string). Put your index finger on fret 2 of the 5th (A) string. Put your middle finger on fret 2 of the 4th (D) string. Put your ring finger on fret 3 of the 2nd (B) string. Let the low E, G and high E strings ring open.
What does the “m7” in Em7 mean?
It tells you the chord type: Em7 is E minor seventh. A minor chord with a flat seventh added. Softer and cooler than a plain minor: less “rainy train window”, more “lo-fi beats to study to”.
What key is Em7 in?
Em7 turns up in 6 keys: C major (as the iii7), G major (as the vi7), D major (as the ii7), A minor (as the v7) and E minor (as the i7), and more in the table below. Major keys: C major, G major, D major. Minor keys: A minor, E minor, B minor.
What is the difference between Em7 and Em?
Em7 is Em with one extra note, the flat seventh (D). It softens the sadness and makes it sound smoother and jazzier.
What chords go well with Em7?
Try A7, Dmaj7, Am7 and Cmaj7. The progression Em7 – A7 – Dmaj7 – Dmaj7 (ii7–V7–Imaj7) is jazz’s favourite handshake, with this chord as the ii. Press Play progression on this page to hear it.
Other minor 7th chords
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