Piano chord
EmE minor
- E1
- G♭3
- B5
- Notes
- 3
- Positions
- 3
- Span
- 7semitones
- Fingers
- 1-3-5
How to play Em on piano
- Find E: it is the root and the lowest note of the chord in root position.
- Right hand: 1 on E, 3 on G, 5 on B.
- Or with the left hand: 5 on E, 3 on G, 1 on B.
- Press the keys together, with curved fingers and a loose wrist, and let them ring.
Root position · E – G – B
1st inversion · G – B – E
2nd inversion · B – E – G
Numbers on the keys are fingers: 1 thumb, 2 index, 3 middle, 4 ring, 5 little finger.
Em inversions
Here are all 3 positions of Em. The notes stay the same, only their order changes: root position has E at the bottom, and every inversion starts on the next chord tone.
- Root positionbass: ERight hand 1-3-5 · Left hand 5-3-1
- 1st inversionbass: GRight hand 1-2-5 · Left hand 5-3-1
- 2nd inversionbass: BRight hand 1-3-5 · Left hand 5-2-1
Chords that go with Em
The other chords of E minor, the key where Em is home (i). Songs in this key move between them.
Em with two hands
A full sound: the left hand plays E an octave lower, the right hand plays E–G–B.
Em on other instruments
About the Em chord
The 3 notes of E minor are E (1), G (♭3), B (5). A minor triad: the third is lowered by a semitone, which gives it the darker, softer sound. Move the middle key one key down from the major chord and you have it.
Put your thumb on E and count up: E – G – B. The whole chord spans 7 semitones from bottom to top. That fits inside an octave, so one hand covers Em without stretching.
The inversions of Em keep the same notes in a new order. In the 1st inversion the bass is G (G–B–E). In the 2nd inversion the bass is B (B–E–G).
Take D out of Em7 and you get Em.
Em belongs to C major (iii), G major (vi), D major (ii), A minor (v), E minor (i).
Questions
What notes are in the Em chord?
Em (E minor) has 3 notes: E (1), G (♭3), B (5).
How many inversions does Em have?
Em can be played in 3 positions: Root position (E–G–B); 1st inversion (G–B–E); 2nd inversion (B–E–G).
What is the difference between Em and Em7?
Take D out of Em7 and you get Em.
Can I play Em with one hand?
Yes. In root position Em spans 7 semitones, less than an octave, so one hand holds it easily.