The short version
- Em is E minor. Its notes are E, G and B (formula 1 – ♭3 – 5).
- Easiest way to play it: the open shape, frets 0 2 2 0 0 0 from low E to high E (x = don’t play).
- It sounds sad, moody or thoughtful. It’s the home chord of a minor key, and the vi chord that gives a major-key chorus its lump-in-the-throat moment.
- Em turns up in 6 keys: C major (as the iii), G major (as the vi), D major (as the ii), A minor (as the v) and E minor (as the i), and more in the table below.
- Try it in: Em – C – G – D, the moody-anthem progression, all minor-key drama.
How to play Em 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.
- Let the low E, G, B 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 9 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 Em chord
Em is built from 3 notes. On guitar you’ll often play some of them twice, on different strings. That’s normal; the chord is still Em.
| 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. |
What Em sounds like, and when to use it
One note different from the major chord: the third drops a semitone, and suddenly everyone is staring out of a rainy train window. It’s the home chord of a minor key, and the vi chord that gives a major-key chorus its lump-in-the-throat moment.
What key is Em in?
Em turns up in 6 keys: C major (as the iii), G major (as the vi), D major (as the ii), A minor (as the v) and E minor (as the i), 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 | iii | Em |
| G major | vi | Em |
| D major | ii | Em |
| A minor | v | Em |
| E minor | i | Em |
| B minor | iv | Em |
Chords that go with Em
Here’s a progression to try: Em – C – G – D (i–VI–III–VII), the moody-anthem progression, all minor-key drama.
More progressions → Transpose it →
Using Em 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.
Indie folk, 78 BPM, chord progression Em – C – G – D, fingerpicked acoustic guitar, soft strings, intimate female vocals, melancholic and reflective
Em chord FAQ
What notes are in the Em chord?
Em has 3 notes: E (the root), G (the minor third) and B (the perfect fifth). The chord formula is 1 – ♭3 – 5.
How do you play Em on guitar?
The easy way is open chord. Strings from low E to high E: 0 2 2 0 0 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. Let the low E, G, B and high E strings ring open.
What does the “m” in Em mean?
It tells you the chord type: Em is E minor. One note different from the major chord: the third drops a semitone, and suddenly everyone is staring out of a rainy train window.
What key is Em in?
Em turns up in 6 keys: C major (as the iii), G major (as the vi), D major (as the ii), A minor (as the v) and E minor (as the i), 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 Em and E?
Em has a minor third (G); E raises it a semitone to G♯. Same root, same fifth, opposite mood.
What chords go well with Em?
Try C, G, D and Am. The progression Em – C – G – D (i–VI–III–VII) is the moody-anthem progression, all minor-key drama. Press Play progression on this page to hear it.
Other minor chords
Got the chord? Now write the song
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