Em Guitar Chord
Em is a minor chord. Minor chords sound darker and sadder than major chords. Its notes are E, G and B. Below are 3 ways to play it, each with a chord diagram, tab and finger numbers.
Notes in Em
| Note | Degree | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| E | R | Root |
| G | b3 | Minor 3rd |
| B | 5 | Perfect 5th |
Formula: 1–b3–5
Em chord shapes
Finger numbers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 pinky. In the tab, x means don't play that string and 0 means play it open. In the diagrams the top line is the 1st (thinnest) string and the nut is on the left.
Open
Easiest- Tab (6th → 1st string)
- 0 2 2 0 0 0
- Fingers
- – 2 3 – – –
A-shape 7fr
- Tab (6th → 1st string)
- x 7 9 9 8 7
- Fingers
- – 1 3 4 2 1
E-shape 12fr
- Tab (6th → 1st string)
- 12 14 14 12 12 12
- Fingers
- 1 3 4 1 1 1
How to play Em (easiest shape)
Shape: Open, tab 0 2 2 0 0 0 (6th to 1st string).
- 1Put your middle finger (2) on the 5th string at the 2nd fret.
- 2Put your ring finger (3) on the 4th string at the 2nd fret.
- 3Let the 6th, 3rd, 2nd and 1st strings ring open.
- 4Strum down from the 6th string to the 1st string.
Em: common questions
- What notes are in the Em chord?
- Em has 3 notes: E, G and B. Counted from the root, that is 1–b3–5.
- Is there an easier way to play Em?
- The easiest shape on this page is "Open" (0 2 2 0 0 0). It needs no barre: each finger presses just one string.
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See all 231 chords in the chord library, find a scale to play over them, or tune up before you start.