E minor chord (Em) on piano
The E minor chord (Em) on piano has 3 notes: E, G, and B (E, G, B). With the right hand, use fingers 1-3-5; with the left hand, 5-3-1 (1 is the thumb). On the keyboard below, the root (E) has the strongest color; each key shows the note name and the degree.
- Notes
- EGB
- Formula
- 1♭35
How to play Em on piano
Root position · From low to high: E G B
Right hand: 1-3-5 Left hand: 5-3-1
Fingers: 1 = thumb, 2 = index, 3 = middle, 4 = ring, 5 = little finger. The small dot marks middle C (C4). Tap a key to hear the note.
Em chord inversions
Inverting a chord means putting another of its notes in the bass (the lowest key) without changing the notes. Inversions shorten the way your hand travels from one chord to the next and slightly change the color of the sound.
-
1st inversion (Em/G)
Em/G: G (♭3) in the bass
From low to high: G B E
Right hand: 1-2-5 Left hand: 5-3-1
-
2nd inversion (Em/B)
Em/B: B (5) in the bass
From low to high: B E G
Right hand: 1-3-5 Left hand: 5-2-1
Notes and intervals of Em
Em (E minor) is built from 3 notes. Each one fills a degree of the chord:
- E · 1 · root
- G · ♭3 · minor third
- B · 5 · perfect fifth
About the minor chord
The minor third makes the chord darker, wistful or inward-looking. In a major key it shows up on the ii, iii and vi degrees (A minor in C major); in a minor key it is home base, from romantic ballads to folk songs.
Other E chords
- E
- Em
- E7
- E7M
- Em7
- Em7(b5)
- E°
- E°7
- E+
- Esus2
- Esus4
- E7sus4
- E5
- Eadd9
- E6
- Em6
- E9
- Em(add9)
- Em9
- E7M(9)
- Em(7M)
- E7M(#5)
- E7(b9)
- E6(9)
- Em6(9)
- E11
- Em11
- E13
- Em13
- E7(#9)
- E7(#11)
- E7(b13)
- E7(#5)
- E7M(#11)
- E9sus4
Minor: other roots
Chords that go with Em
In the key of Em (minor), the most common chords next to it are the iv, the V7, the ♭III, the ♭VI and the ♭VII:
Arpeggio
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the Em chord on piano?
Em (E minor) has the notes E, G, B. The formula is 1 · ♭3 · 5: root, minor third, perfect fifth.
How do you play Em on piano?
Find the E key and add the other notes above it: E, G, B. Play them all together. With the right hand, use fingers 1-3-5; with the left hand, 5-3-1.
What are the inversions of Em?
1st inversion (Em/G): G B E; 2nd inversion (Em/B): B E G.
What does Em mean?
Em is the chord symbol for E minor. The minor third makes the chord darker, wistful or inward-looking. In a major key it shows up on the ii, iii and vi degrees (A minor in C major); in a minor key it is home base, from romantic ballads to folk songs.
Is the Em chord the same on piano and keyboard?
Yes. The notes and inversions are the same on any keyboard instrument: acoustic piano, digital piano, keyboard, organ or synthesizer.