Piano chords · Minor chord
Em piano chord (E minor)
Em is a minor chord with 3 notes. It sounds darker, more wistful. Here's how to find it, play it and hear it.
E – G – B · tap any key to hear it
The notes of Em
Em is built from 3 notes (1 – ♭3 – 5):
- E, the root
- G, the minor third
- B, the fifth
Every note is a white key, which makes Em an easy chord to find and play.
Fingering
- Right hand: 1 on E, 3 on G, 5 on B.
- Left hand: 5 on E, 3 on G, 1 on B.
Press every key at exactly the same moment, with the same weight. If one note sounds louder or a fraction late, the chord sounds uneven: play it slowly and listen for one sound.
Inversions
An inversion is the same notes in a different order, with a different note at the bottom. Inversions let you move between chords without jumping around the keyboard.
| Position | Notes, bottom to top |
|---|---|
| Root position | E – G – B |
| 1st inversion | G – B – E |
| 2nd inversion | B – E – G |
Where Em belongs
Em is the ii chord in D major, the iii chord in C major and the vi chord in G major, and the home chord of E minor. Its relative major is G, which shares two of its notes.
E is the same chord with the middle note a half step higher (G becomes G♯), which turns it from dark to bright.
Hear it in a progression
Em – C – G – D: i – VI – III – VII, a classic minor-key progression.
Playing it, but it doesn't sound right? Ivory listens to you play and tells you what's off: a note that's missing, a hand that lands late, a chord that's uneven. Then it shows you how it should go.
Questions people ask
What notes are in the Em chord?
Em (E minor) is made of E, G and B: the root, minor third and fifth.
How do you play Em on piano?
With your right hand, use fingers 1 on E, 3 on G, 5 on B, and press them together. With your left hand: 5 on E, 3 on G, 1 on B.
What's the difference between Em and E?
E is the same chord with the middle note a half step higher (G becomes G♯), which turns it from dark to bright.