E minor seventh chord (Em7)
The E minor seventh chord (Em7) is a minor seventh chord: a minor triad with a minor seventh on top, E, G, B and D (root, minor third, perfect fifth and minor seventh).
It is the ii7 in D major and the vi7 in G major; its relative is G major seventh, 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 seventh on guitar
There are 3 guitar voicings.
Frets from the 6th string to the 1st: x = not played, 0 = open string.
- Voicing 1: 0-2-0-0-0-0, open position, with E in the bass (fingers 0-1-0-0-0-0).
- Voicing 2: 12-14-12-12-12-12, movable E-shape barre chord at fret 12, with E in the bass.
- Voicing 3: x-7-9-7-8-7, movable A-shape barre chord at fret 7, with E in the bass.
Notes of the E minor seventh chord on the fretboard
E minor seventh has 4 notes: E, G, B and D. 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) · D (10) · E (12)
- String 5 (A): B (2) · D (5) · E (7) · G (10)
- String 4 (D): D (0) · E (2) · G (5) · B (9) · D (12)
- String 3 (G): G (0) · B (4) · D (7) · E (9) · G (12)
- String 2 (B): B (0) · D (3) · E (5) · G (8) · B (12)
- String 1 (E): E (0) · G (3) · B (7) · D (10) · E (12)
Formula and intervals of E minor seventh
Its formula is 1-♭3-5-♭7; in semitones from the root, 0-3-7-10.
- 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
- D: Minor seventh (m7), 10 semitones above E
E minor seventh on ukulele
- Ukulele (G C E A): 0-2-0-2; it sounds G, D, E and B.
E minor seventh on piano
- Keys: E4, G4, B4 and D5.
Inversions of E minor seventh
Each inversion puts a different note in the bass.
- Root position: E, G, B and D, with E in the bass.
- First inversion (Em7/G): G, B, D and E, with G in the bass.
- Second inversion (Em7/B): B, D, E and G, with B in the bass.
- Third inversion (Em7/D): D, E, G and B, with D in the bass.
Keys that use E minor seventh
E minor seventh appears in 6 major and minor keys.
| Key | Degree | Function |
|---|---|---|
| D major (2 sharps) | ii7 | Supertonic |
| C major (no sharps or flats) | iii7 | Mediant |
| G major (1 sharp) | vi7 | Submediant |
| E minor (1 sharp) | i7 | Tonic |
| B minor (2 sharps) | iv7 | Subdominant |
| A minor (no sharps or flats) | v7 | Dominant |
Progressions with E minor seventh
- Jazz ii–V–I in D major (ii7–V7–Imaj7): Em7 – A7 – Dmaj7
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the E minor seventh chord?
E, G, B and D: root, minor third, perfect fifth and minor seventh. Its formula is 1-♭3-5-♭7.
Which keys use E minor seventh?
Mainly as the ii7 in D major and the vi7 in G major. In total it appears in 6 major and minor keys.
What is the relative of E minor seventh?
G major seventh: they share three of their four notes. In the key where G major seventh is Imaj7, E minor seventh is vi7; in a major key, the minor seventh chords are ii7, iii7 and vi7.