Em guitar chord
The E minor chord: every way to play it on the neck, the notes in it, and the scales that sound good over it.
What's in Em
- Notes
- E – G – B
- Formula
- 1 – b3 – 5
- Name
- E minor
EmE · G · B
3 ways to play it · Tuning E A D G B E
- Open
- D shape · 2nd fret
- A shape · 7th fret
What to play over Em
Start with the chord's own notes — E, G, B — and land on them on the strong beats. Then reach for a scale; which one depends on the chord's job in the song.
- E minor pentatonic scale
The safe start, and the sound of most rock and blues solos.
- E Dorian mode
A minor with a brighter 6th — when the chord is a ii.
- E natural minor scale
The natural minor, when the chord is the song’s home chord (i).
- E Phrygian mode
Dark and Spanish-sounding, with the ♭2 — when the chord is a iii.
Questions
What notes are in a Em chord?
Em has 3 notes: E, G, B. Counted from the root, its formula is 1 – b3 – 5.
What scale goes with Em?
E minor pentatonic scale is the place to start. The safe start, and the sound of most rock and blues solos.