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Em Chord on Guitar

Em is the E minor chord — 3 notes (E, G, B) built from the formula 1 ♭3 5. Below are playable shapes across the fretboard, the keys it belongs to and the scales to use when soloing over it.

Notes: E · G · BFormula: 1 · ♭3 · 5Hear it and see it on the fretboard ▸

Em: Chord shapes (open & barre)

  • Em – open positionR5R♭35Ropen position
  • Em – fret 2××R5R♭3fret 2
  • Em – fret 44×R♭35R×fret 4
  • Em – fret 77×R5R♭35fret 7
  • Em – fret 99R♭35R5×fret 9
  • Em – fret 1212R5R♭35Rfret 12

Em: Triad voicings (3 strings)

  • Em – bass: R9R♭35×××bass: R
  • Em – bass: R4×R♭35××bass: R
  • Em – bass: R12××R♭35×bass: R
  • Em – bass: R7×××R♭35bass: R
  • Em – bass: ♭3♭35R×××bass: ♭3
  • Em – bass: ♭39×♭35R××bass: ♭3
  • Em – bass: ♭3××♭35R×bass: ♭3
  • Em – bass: ♭312×××♭35Rbass: ♭3
  • Em – bass: 555R♭3×××bass: 5
  • Em – bass: 512×5R♭3××bass: 5
  • Em – bass: 58××5R♭3×bass: 5
  • Em – bass: 5×××5R♭3bass: 5

Keys that contain Em

Scales to play over Em

Ordered from the most common choice. All of them contain E, G, B.

Other E chords

Triads

Sevenths

Sixths

Added

Extended

Minor chords in other keys

FAQ

What notes are in the Em chord?
Em (E minor) contains E, G, B — formula 1 ♭3 5.
How do you play Em on guitar?
A common shape is 022000 (low E to high E, x = muted string, open position). This page shows more shapes, drop 2, drop 3 and shell voicings in the interactive library.
What scale goes with Em?
Good choices to solo over Em: E Aeolian (Minor), E Dorian, E Minor pentatonic.
What key is Em in?
Em is diatonic in C major (iii), D major (ii), G major (vi), E minor (i), A minor (v), B minor (iv).