Piano chords · Minor 7th chord
Em7 piano chord (E minor seventh)
Em7 is a minor seventh chord with 4 notes. It sounds mellow and smooth. Here's how to find it, play it and hear it.
E – G – B – D · tap any key to hear it
The notes of Em7
Em7 is built from 4 notes (1 – ♭3 – 5 – ♭7):
- E, the root
- G, the minor third
- B, the fifth
- D, the minor seventh
Every note is a white key, which makes Em7 an easy chord to find and play.
Fingering
- Right hand: 1 on E, 2 on G, 3 on B, 5 on D.
- Left hand: 5 on E, 3 on G, 2 on B, 1 on D.
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 – D |
| 1st inversion | G – B – D – E |
| 2nd inversion | B – D – E – G |
| 3rd inversion | D – E – G – B |
Where Em7 belongs
Em7 is the ii7 chord in D major, the iii7 chord in C major and the vi7 chord in G major.
Em7 is Em with a minor seventh, D, added on top, which softens it from sad to smooth.
Hear it in a progression
Em7 – A7 – Dmaj7: ii – V – I in D major, the backbone of jazz.
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 Em7 chord?
Em7 (E minor seventh) is made of E, G, B and D: the root, minor third, fifth and minor seventh.
How do you play Em7 on piano?
With your right hand, use fingers 1 on E, 2 on G, 3 on B, 5 on D, and press them together. With your left hand: 5 on E, 3 on G, 2 on B, 1 on D.
How is Em7 different from the plain chord?
Em7 is Em with a minor seventh, D, added on top, which softens it from sad to smooth.