transpose.siteEm chord (E minor)
The Em chord is a minor chord built on E. A minor triad: a major chord with the third lowered by a half step. It sounds darker and calmer, common in ballads and minor-key songs.
Em guitar chord
Common shape
Barre, root on 5th string (fret 7)
The left vertical line is the 6th (thickest) string. Numbers in dots are fingers (1 index · 2 middle · 3 ring · 4 little), × means don't play that string and ○ means open.
Play it the easy way with a capo
- Capo on fret 2 + Dm shape
- Capo on fret 7 + Am shape
With a capo on for the whole song, every other chord moves by the same number of frets.
Em chord notes
| Degree | 1 (root) | ♭3 (minor 3rd) | 5 (perfect 5th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Note | E | G | B |
Em piano chord
On piano, press these 3 notes together. Bass players usually play the root, E.
Keys that use Em
- C major: iii
- D major: ii
- G major: vi
- E minor: i
- A minor: v
- B minor: iv
Transposing Em
One half step up, Em becomes Fm; one half step down, E♭m. To change the key of a whole PDF score, open it in the free PDF transposer.