Skip to main content

Em(Minor Chord)

A darker, more melancholic triad with a minor third instead of a major third.

Notes
E – G – B
Intervals (semitones)
0 – 3 – 7
Type
Triad

🎹 Em on Piano

Press highlighted keys simultaneously to play the Em chord.

R
E(Root (R))
2
G(Minor 3rd (♭3))
3
B(Perfect 5th)

🎸 Em on Guitar

The Em chord uses notes E, G, B. Build a voicing by finding these notes on any strings — root on the 6th string is a common starting point for barre chord shapes.

Interval Analysis

DegreeInterval NameSemitonesNote in E
RootRoot (R)0E
3rdMinor 3rd (♭3)3G
5thPerfect 5th7B

About the E Minor Chord

The Em chord (E Minor) consists of 3 notes: E, G, B. A darker, more melancholic triad with a minor third instead of a major third.

To build any minor chord, apply intervals of 0, 3, 7 semitones above the root. Starting from E: the notes land on E, G, B.

Playing Em on Piano

Press E, G, B simultaneously. In root position, E is lowest. First inversion places G in the bass for a lighter sound; second inversion uses B as the bass note.

Common Chord Progressions Using Em

  • I–IV–V: Em – Am – Bm (blues and rock)
  • I–V–vi–IV: Em – B – C#m – A (pop staple)
  • I–vi–IV–V: Em – C#m – A – B (50s progression)

The Em Chord in Context

As a minor chord, Em is the tonic (I) in the key of E major. It also appears as the IV chord in B major, and as the V chord in A major — making it one of the most important chords across all of Western music.

Other E Chords

E
Major
E7
Dominant 7th
Emaj7
Major 7th
Em7
Minor 7th
Edim
Diminished
Eaug
Augmented

Minor Chord in All 12 Keys

CmC#mDmD#mEmFmF#mGmG#mAmA#mBm
🎹 Virtual Piano
Play Em on piano
🎸 Virtual Guitar
See on the fretboard
🎵 E Scale
Notes that fit Em
🎶 Songs
Find songs using Em

FAQ

Em Chord — Frequently Asked Questions

What notes are in the Em chord?
The E Minor chord contains: E, G, B. These notes are derived by applying the minor interval formula (0–3–7 semitones) to the root note E.
What is the Em chord used for?
A darker, more melancholic triad with a minor third instead of a major third. The Em chord is used across pop, rock, jazz, and classical music. As the I chord in the key of E major, it functions as the most stable resting point in progressions.
How do you play Em on piano?
On piano, play E, G, B simultaneously. In root position, E is the lowest note. Inversions move the bass note up — first inversion has G lowest, second inversion has B lowest.
How many notes are in a minor chord?
A minor chord has 3 notes: E, G, B (in E). It is a triad — the most fundamental chord type.
What is the difference between E major and E minor?
The E major chord (E–G#–B) uses a major third (4 semitones), giving it a bright, happy sound. The E minor chord (E–G–B) uses a minor third (3 semitones), giving it a darker, emotional sound.
What key does Em belong to?
Em naturally serves as the I chord in the key of E major. It also appears as IV in the key of B major, and as V in the key of A major.
Can I play Em on ukulele?
Yes. The ukulele uses GCEA tuning with 4 strings. The Em chord notes (E, G, B) can be fretted on a ukulele, though the shapes differ from guitar due to the 4-string layout and shorter scale.
What chords go well with Em?
In the key of E major, Em pairs naturally with A major (IV), B major (V), and C#m (vi). The classic I–IV–V (Em–A–B) is the foundation of blues, country, and rock.
What is a chord inversion of Em?
An inversion places a non-root note in the bass. Em root position: E in bass. First inversion: G in bass. Second inversion: B in bass. Inversions create smoother bass line movement without changing the harmony.
How do I memorize the notes in a minor chord?
Remember the formula: 0–3–7 semitones from root. For Em: start on E, add 3 semitones, then 7 semitones. Practicing this across all 12 roots builds instant recognition of any minor chord.