Also written Em7 or Emin7
E minor 7th contains E, G, B, and D. The open position is the easiest minor 7th shape on bass, using three open strings and one fretted note.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
E minor 7th is built from the formula 1, ♭3, 5, ♭7. The ♭3 and ♭7 give it a mellow, minor sound. Compare it with E minor, which omits the ♭7.
E minor 7th appears in the I–V–vi–IV progression in G major: G major–D major–E minor–C major. It suits rock, folk, and pop where the open strings give a bright, ringing tone.
The open position keeps E in the bass for a solid root-position sound. The Em7/B inversion at the 7th fret puts B in the bass, which is useful when the bass line moves from the 5th below. The Em7/D inversion at the 10th fret places D in the bass, creating a darker, more suspended feel.
E minor 7th is played in open position as 0 2 0 0: index finger on the A string at fret 2. The E, D and G strings ring open.
Tip — The open position is easy, but the 12th-fret shape requires the same wide stretch as other minor 7th grips.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | open | — | E (1) |
| 3 (A) | 2 | 1 | B (5) |
| 2 (D) | open | — | D (♭7) |
| 1 (G) | open | — | G (♭3) |
E minor 7th is played at the 12th fret as 12 14 12 12: index finger on the E string at fret 12, pinky finger on the A string at fret 14, middle finger on the D string at fret 12 and ring finger on the G string at fret 12.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 12 | 1 | E (1) |
| 3 (A) | 14 | 4 | B (5) |
| 2 (D) | 12 | 2 | D (♭7) |
| 1 (G) | 12 | 3 | G (♭3) |
E minor 7th is played at the 5th fret as 7 7 5 7: middle finger on the E string at fret 7, ring finger on the A string at fret 7, index finger on the D string at fret 5 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 7.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7 | 2 | B (5) |
| 3 (A) | 7 | 3 | E (1) |
| 2 (D) | 5 | 1 | G (♭3) |
| 1 (G) | 7 | 4 | D (♭7) |
E minor 7th is played at the 9th fret as 10 10 9 9: barre your index finger across fret 9, middle finger on the E string at fret 10 and ring finger on the A string at fret 10.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 10 | 2 | D (♭7) |
| 3 (A) | 10 | 3 | G (♭3) |
| 2 (D) | 9 | 1 (barre) | B (5) |
| 1 (G) | 9 | 1 (barre) | E (1) |
E minor 7th is written Emin7 or Em7. The root is E.
E minor 7th adds the ♭7, D, to the E minor triad. This extra note gives the chord a softer, more sophisticated sound.
The open position uses three open strings, making it very easy to play. It also has a bright, resonant tone that works well in many styles.
No, the open position does not use a barre. The 12th-fret shape uses the same fingering as the open position but with all strings fretted.