Also written Em or Emin
E minor is built from E, G, and B. The open G string rings against the fretted notes, making this a comfortable first minor chord.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
E minor uses the formula 1, ♭3, 5, so the minor 3rd between E and G gives the chord its dark quality. The perfect 5th from E to B keeps it stable. Compare it with E major, where the 3rd is raised to G♯.
E minor is the vi chord in G major, as in the progression G–D–E minor–C (I–V–vi–IV). E minor also fits E minor pentatonic lines over an E 5th chord. Use E minor for rock, blues, and ballads.
The open position has E in the bass, giving a solid root. For a higher voicing, use the Emin/G inversion with G as the lowest note.
E minor is played in open position as 0 4 3 2: ring finger on the C string at fret 4, middle finger on the E string at fret 3 and index finger on the A string at fret 2. The G string rings open.
Tip — The fingers must fret three separate strings while the open G string rings through, requiring clean finger placement.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | open | — | G (♭3) |
| 3 (C) | 4 | 3 | E (1) |
| 2 (E) | 3 | 2 | G (♭3) |
| 1 (A) | 2 | 1 | B (5) |
E minor is played at the 2nd fret as 4 4 3 2: ring finger on the G string at fret 4, pinky finger on the C string at fret 4, middle finger on the E string at fret 3 and index finger on the A string at fret 2.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4 | 3 | B (5) |
| 3 (C) | 4 | 4 | E (1) |
| 2 (E) | 3 | 2 | G (♭3) |
| 1 (A) | 2 | 1 | B (5) |
E minor is played at the 4th fret as 4 7 7 7: index finger on the G string at fret 4, middle finger on the C string at fret 7, ring finger on the E string at fret 7 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 7.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4 | 1 | B (5) |
| 3 (C) | 7 | 2 | G (♭3) |
| 2 (E) | 7 | 3 | B (5) |
| 1 (A) | 7 | 4 | E (1) |
E minor is played at the 7th fret as 9 7 7 7: barre your index finger across fret 7 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 9.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 9 | 4 | E (1) |
| 3 (C) | 7 | 1 (barre) | G (♭3) |
| 2 (E) | 7 | 1 (barre) | B (5) |
| 1 (A) | 7 | 1 (barre) | E (1) |
E minor is played at the 10th fret as 12 11 12 10: ring finger on the G string at fret 12, middle finger on the C string at fret 11, pinky finger on the E string at fret 12 and index finger on the A string at fret 10.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 12 | 3 | G (♭3) |
| 3 (C) | 11 | 2 | B (5) |
| 2 (E) | 12 | 4 | E (1) |
| 1 (A) | 10 | 1 | G (♭3) |
E minor is written as Em, Emin, E−, or Emi.
E minor has a G, while E major has a G♯. That one semitone changes the chord from minor to major.
Yes, the Emin/G inversion at 4-7-7-7 uses a barre on the seventh fret for a different voicing.