Em Guitar Chord

How to play Em: a minor built on E, with 1 voicing, the notes, the keys it belongs to, and songs that use it.

Chord Diagram

A common voicing

The first diagram is a common voicing: an open-position shape using 4 open strings, played near the nut. An X above a string means don't play it; an O means play it open.

How to play Em

Frets from the low E string to the high E string: 0 2 2 0 0 0 (x = not played).

  1. Fret the A and D strings at the 2nd fret (one finger per string, or one finger across both).
  2. The low E, G, B and high E strings ring open.
  3. Strum all six strings.

Notes & Intervals in Em

NoteEGB
IntervalRb35

Em is a minor with E as its root. The full theoretical spelling is E, G, B. This voicing sounds every chord tone.

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Keys That Use Em

Em is a diatonic chord (built from the key's own notes) in 3 major keys and 4 minor keys. The roman numeral is the chord's place in that key; tap a key for all of its chords.

Songs That Use Em

Free chord sheets on Guitar Scribble with Em in them. Each opens with the chords over the lyrics and plays in any key.

Use This Chord

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Questions About Em

What notes are in the Em chord?

Em is spelled E, G, B: the root, minor 3rd, 5th. The common guitar voicing sounds every one of them.

How do you play Em on guitar?

Frets from the low E string to the high E string: 0 2 2 0 0 0 (x means the string is not played). Fret the A and D strings at the 2nd fret (one finger per string, or one finger across both). The low E, G, B and high E strings ring open. Strum all six strings.

What key is the Em chord in?

Em belongs to 7 keys: D major (the ii chord), G major (the vi chord), C major (the iii chord), E minor (the i), B minor (the iv), A minor (the v) and G# minor (the vi, from the harmonic minor).

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