E minor chord (Em)
The E minor chord (Em) is a minor triad made of E, G and B: root, minor third and perfect fifth.
It is the i in E minor and the vi in G major; its relative major is G major, and B dominant seventh leads into it as its V7.
Below: voicings, notes on the fretboard, ukulele, piano, inversions and progressions.
How to play E minor on guitar
There are 3 guitar voicings.
Frets from the 6th string to the 1st: x = not played, 0 = open string.
- Voicing 1: 0-2-2-0-0-0, open position, with E in the bass (fingers 0-2-3-0-0-0).
- Voicing 2: x-7-9-9-8-7, barre at fret 7, with E in the bass (fingers x-1-3-4-2-1).
- Voicing 3: 12-14-14-12-12-12, movable E-shape barre chord at fret 12, with E in the bass.
Notes of the E minor chord on the fretboard
E minor has 3 notes: E, G and B. This is where they fall on each string, from the nut to the 12th fret (fret number in parentheses):
- String 6 (E): E (0) · G (3) · B (7) · E (12)
- String 5 (A): B (2) · E (7) · G (10)
- String 4 (D): E (2) · G (5) · B (9)
- String 3 (G): G (0) · B (4) · E (9) · G (12)
- String 2 (B): B (0) · E (5) · G (8) · B (12)
- String 1 (E): E (0) · G (3) · B (7) · E (12)
Formula and intervals of E minor
Its formula is 1-♭3-5; in semitones from the root, 0-3-7.
- E: Root, the note that gives the chord its name
- G: Minor third (m3), 3 semitones above E
- B: Perfect fifth (P5), 7 semitones above E
E minor on ukulele
- Ukulele (G C E A): 0-4-0-2; it sounds G, E, E and B.
E minor on piano
- Keys: E4, G4 and B4.
Inversions of E minor
Each inversion puts a different note in the bass.
- Root position: E, G and B, with E in the bass.
- First inversion (Em/G): G, B and E, with G in the bass.
- Second inversion (Em/B): B, E and G, with B in the bass.
Keys that use E minor
E minor appears in 6 major and minor keys.
| Key | Degree | Function |
|---|---|---|
| D major (2 sharps) | ii | Supertonic |
| C major (no sharps or flats) | iii | Mediant |
| G major (1 sharp) | vi | Submediant |
| E minor (1 sharp) | i | Tonic |
| B minor (2 sharps) | iv | Subdominant |
| A minor (no sharps or flats) | v | Dominant |
Progressions with E minor
- Pop progression in G major (I–V–vi–IV): G – D – Em – C
- Pop progression starting on vi in G major (vi–IV–I–V): Em – C – G – D
- Turnaround in G major (I–vi–ii–V): G – Em – Am – D
- Minor cadence in E minor (i–iv–V7): Em – Am – B7
- Minor pop progression in E minor (i–VI–III–VII): Em – C – G – D
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the E minor chord?
E, G and B: root, minor third and perfect fifth. Its formula is 1-♭3-5.
Which keys use E minor?
Mainly as the i in E minor and the vi in G major. In total it appears in 6 major and minor keys.
What is the relative major of E minor?
G major. E minor and G major are the tonic chords of two relative keys, which share the same key signature and the same scale notes.