How to play the Em7 chord on guitar
E minor seventh (Em7) in standard tuning (EADGBE). Play the shape 020000 from the low E string to the high E string. The chord tones are E, G, B, D, and the lowest sounding note is E.
Fingering chart
| String | Fret | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 6th (low E) | Open | E |
| 5th (A) | 2 | B |
| 4th (D) | Open | D |
| 3rd (G) | Open | G |
| 2nd (B) | Open | B |
| 1st (high E) | Open | E |
Notes and intervals
Formula 1 b3 5 b7. This shape sounds each chord tone.
| Note | Degree | Interval from E | In this shape |
|---|---|---|---|
| E | 1 | Root (0 semitones) | Yes |
| G | b3 | Minor 3rd (3 semitones) | Yes |
| B | 5 | Perfect 5th (7 semitones) | Yes |
| D | b7 | Minor 7th (10 semitones) | Yes |
Changing chords from Em7
Em7 sounds six strings: one fretted position all at fret 2, plus five open strings. The quickest changes leave fretted notes where they are, so the hand pivots instead of lifting off the neck. These are the chords in this library that share the most fretted notes with the Em7 shape.
- Em7 to Em: keep one fretted note in place (5th string fret 2), one new position to fret.
- Em7 to E7: keep one fretted note in place (5th string fret 2), one new position to fret.
- Em7 to E5: keep one fretted note in place (5th string fret 2), one new position to fret.
- Em7 to G: keep one fretted note in place (5th string fret 2), two new positions to fret.