Em Guitar Chord

Em is a minor chord made of E · G · B. A minor triad — darker and calmer than major. The standard shape is an open chord: 022000 (6th string → 1st string, x = don't play, 0 = open string).

Chord charts

Open chord · 022000

Fret 7 barre · root on 5th string · x79987 · from fret 7

Fret 9 barre · root on 6th string · 12-10-9-9-x-x · from fret 9

Fret 12 barre · root on 6th string · 12-14-14-12-12-12 · from fret 12

Index finger on string 5 (A), fret 2.
Middle finger on string 4 (D), fret 2.
Let strings 6, 3, 2, 1 ring open.
Strum down from string 6.

Em guitar chord chart — open chord 022000 and 3 more shapes — All Em shapes on one image — long-press (or right-click) to save it.

Notes in the chord

E
rootG
3rdB
5th

Play it easier with a capo

Capo on fret 2 + Dm shape → sounds as Em
Capo on fret 4 + Cm shape → sounds as Em
Capo on fret 7 + Am shape → sounds as Em

If barre chords are hard, clamp a capo and play an open shape — it sounds exactly the same. The Buskermate app can move a whole chord sheet to any capo position for you.

Try it: capo on

Keys that use this chord

the iii chord in C major · the ii chord in D major · the vi chord in G major

Scales that fit

Other E chords

E Em E7 Emaj7 Em7 E6 Em6 Esus4 Esus2 E7sus4 Edim Edim7 Em7b5 Eaug Eadd9 E9 Em9 Emaj9

Minor chords in other keys

Cm C♯m Dm E♭m Em Fm F♯m Gm A♭m Am B♭m Bm

FAQ

What notes are in the Em chord?

The Em chord is made of E, G, B. A minor triad — darker and calmer than major.

What's the easiest way to play Em on guitar?

The standard shape, from the 6th string to the 1st, is 022000 (an open chord). If the barre is hard, put a capo on fret 2 and play a Dm shape — it sounds the same.

Which scale works for soloing over Em?

E natural minor or E minor pentatonic fits well.

🎸 Transpose a whole chord sheet — Buskermate
Upload a PDF song sheet and Buskermate reads the chords and moves them to any key or capo position (the app is in Korean for now).