In this section: Chords

E minor 7 (Em7)

One finger: E minor 7 is the easiest chord on the guitar, with a wide, airy sound.

It’s played in open position, near the nut, and as a barre chord higher up the neck. It’s the home chord of the key of E minor; in major keys, you’ll find it in G major, D major and C major.

Notes:: E, G, B, D.
Formula:: 1, ♭3, 5, ♭7.
Difficulty:: Beginner.
Strings played:: 6.

Chord diagram

e|--0--|
B|--0--|
G|--0--|
D|--0--|
A|--2--|
E|--0--|

Other positions

e|--7--|
B|--8--|
G|--7--|
D|--9--|
A|--7--|
E|--x--|

Common mistakes

Open D string muted? Your middle finger, on the A string, is touching it. Arch it more.

Buzzing? Your finger is too far from the fret. Move it closer, without pressing harder.

Variations

Em: add your ring finger at the 2nd fret on the D string.

e|--0--|
B|--0--|
G|--0--|
D|--2--|
A|--2--|
E|--0--|

Heard in

Wonderwall (Oasis) opens on Em7, with G, Dsus4 and A7sus4, capo at the 2nd fret.

Often played with

The chords in its key, the ones you hear most often around E minor 7.

e|--0--|
B|--2--|
G|--0--|
D|--2--|
A|--0--|
E|--x--|

A7V of the key

e|--2--|
B|--2--|
G|--2--|
D|--0--|
A|--x--|
E|--x--|

D major 7I of the key

e|--2--|
B|--0--|
G|--2--|
D|--0--|
A|--2--|
E|--x--|

B minor 7v