Chords in the key of E minor

The key of E minor (natural minor) has the notes E, F♯, G, A, B, C, and D and the chords Em, F♯°, G, Am, Bm, C, and D. In practice the V and vii° come from the harmonic minor scale, with the leading tone D♯: B (B7) and D♯°. Key signature: 1 sharp (F♯). Relative major: G major.

E
F♯
G
A
B
C
D

Natural minor

The scale of the key signature. Fine for melodies, but the v is minor (Bm) and barely pulls back to the tonic.

Degree	Triad	Seventh chord	Function
i	Em	Em7	tonic
ii°	F♯°	F♯m7(♭5)	subdominant
III	G	G7M	tonic
iv	Am	Am7	subdominant
v	Bm	Bm7	dominant
VI	C	C7M	subdominant
VII	D	D7	dominant

Each chord in the table opens its guitar page, with the diagram and the sound.

Harmonic minor (the V7 and vii°)

The 7th note is raised a half step (D♯): the V becomes major (B, or B7 with the seventh) and the vii becomes diminished (D♯°). These are the chords minor-key songs use to get back to the tonic.

Degree	Triad	Seventh chord	Function
i	Em	Em(7M)	tonic
ii°	F♯°	F♯m7(♭5)	subdominant
III+	G+	G7M(♯5)	tonic
iv	Am	Am7	subdominant
V	B	B7	dominant
VI	C	C7M	subdominant
vii°	D♯°	D♯°7	dominant

Melodic minor

The 6th and 7th are raised a half step: the ii becomes minor (F♯m) and the IV becomes major (A). Common in jazz and in rising melodies.

Degree	Triad	Seventh chord	Function
i	Em	Em(7M)	tonic
ii	F♯m	F♯m7	subdominant
III+	G+	G7M(♯5)	tonic
IV	A	A7	subdominant
V	B	B7	dominant
vi°	C♯°	C♯m7(♭5)	subdominant
vii°	D♯°	D♯m7(♭5)	dominant

The chords of E minor on the piano

What each chord does

Tonic (Em and G) feels at rest; subdominant (F♯°, Am, and C) moves away from home; dominant (B and D♯°) builds tension and wants to go back to Em.

Common progressions in E minor

Listen to each one and open it in the backing track to play along.

Andalusian cadence
i–VII–VI–V

A dramatic descent from flamenco, widely used in rock and Latin music.
- Em
- D
- C
- B
Play it in the backing track
Basic minor
i–iv–V7

Im–IVm–V7: the essentials of a minor key; the V7 brings the tension of the harmonic minor scale.
- Em
- Am
- B7
Play it in the backing track
IIm7(♭5)–V7–Im
iiø7–V7–i7

The jazz and bolero cadence in a minor key.
Play it in the backing track
Epic minor pop
i–VI–III–VII

Im–♭VI–♭III–♭VII: a grand chorus in a minor key.
- Em
- C
- G
- D
Play it in the backing track

Relative and parallel keys

Relative major: G major. Both scales have the same notes and the same key signature (1 sharp (F♯)).

Parallel key: E major, with the same tonic and the other mode. Switching between them mid-song changes the mood without moving the home note.

Neighbours on the circle of fifths: A minor (a fifth below) and B minor (a fifth above). Modulating to them sounds natural.

Circle of fifths

E minor is highlighted. Clockwise, each step goes up a fifth and adds a sharp; counter-clockwise, a flat. The relative minors are on the inside. Tap a key to see its chords.

Scales and tools for E minor

E natural minor scale on guitar E harmonic minor scale on guitar E melodic minor scale on guitar Transpose a chord chart to another key E minor on guitar: the chords already have open shapes, no capo needed

Chords in other keys

Major keys

Minor keys

Frequently asked questions

What chords are in the key of E minor?

Em, F♯°, G, Am, Bm, C, and D. As seventh chords: Em7, F♯m7(♭5), G7M, Am7, Bm7, C7M, and D7.

What is the relative of E minor?

G major. Both scales have the same notes and the same key signature: 1 sharp (F♯).

What is the key signature of E minor?

E minor has 1 sharp (F♯) in its key signature.

Why is the V chord major in E minor?

In the natural minor scale the v chord is minor (Bm) and barely pulls to the tonic. Raising the 7th note a half step (D♯, the leading tone) gives the harmonic minor scale, and the V becomes B (B7), which resolves strongly to Em.

What chord progressions work in E minor?

The most common: i–VII–VI–V: Em D C B; i–iv–V7: Em Am B7; iiø7–V7–i7: F♯m7(♭5) B7 Em7; i–VI–III–VII: Em C G D.