Piano chord
Em7E minor seventh
- E1
- G♭3
- B5
- D♭7
- Notes
- 4
- Positions
- 4
- Span
- 10semitones
- Fingers
- 1-2-4-5
How to play Em7 on piano
- Find E: it is the root and the lowest note of the chord in root position.
- Right hand: 1 on E, 2 on G, 4 on B, 5 on D.
- Or with the left hand: 5 on E, 4 on G, 2 on B, 1 on D.
- Press the keys together, with curved fingers and a loose wrist, and let them ring.
Root position · E – G – B – D
1st inversion · G – B – D – E
2nd inversion · B – D – E – G
3rd inversion · D – E – G – B
Numbers on the keys are fingers: 1 thumb, 2 index, 3 middle, 4 ring, 5 little finger.
Em7 inversions
Use these 4 positions to move between chords with as little hand movement as possible. Root position starts on E; the inversions start on the other notes of the chord.
- Root positionbass: ERight hand 1-2-4-5 · Left hand 5-4-2-1
- 1st inversionbass: GRight hand 1-3-4-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
- 2nd inversionbass: BRight hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
- 3rd inversionbass: DRight hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-4-3-1
Chords that go with Em7
The other chords of E minor, the key where Em7 is home (i7). Songs in this key move between them.
Em7 with two hands
A full sound: the left hand plays E an octave lower, the right hand plays E–G–B–D.
Em7 on other instruments
About the Em7 chord
To build E minor seventh, take these 4 notes from the root up: E (1), G (♭3), B (5), D (♭7). A minor seventh: a minor triad with the flat seventh. Softer than a plain minor chord, it is the ii chord of jazz and a favourite in R&B.
The keys are E – G – B – D, counted up from E; the distance from the lowest to the highest key is 10 semitones. Any hand that reaches an octave can hold Em7, so it works in either hand.
In the inversions of Em7 the root moves up and another note takes the bass. In the 1st inversion the bass is G (G–B–D–E). In the 2nd inversion the bass is B (B–D–E–G). In the 3rd inversion the bass is D (D–E–G–B).
Compared with Em, Em7 has one more note, D.
You meet Em7 in these keys: C major (iii7), G major (vi7), D major (ii7), A minor (v7), E minor (i7).
Questions
What notes are in the Em7 chord?
Em7 (E minor seventh) has 4 notes: E (1), G (♭3), B (5), D (♭7).
How many inversions does Em7 have?
Em7 can be played in 4 positions: Root position (E–G–B–D); 1st inversion (G–B–D–E); 2nd inversion (B–D–E–G); 3rd inversion (D–E–G–B).
What is the difference between Em7 and Em?
Compared with Em, Em7 has one more note, D.
Can I play Em7 with one hand?
Yes. In root position Em7 spans 10 semitones, less than an octave, so one hand holds it easily.