Chords in the key of E minor

The notes of E minor are E F# G A B C D. Each note makes one chord, so these are the seven chords that belong together. Its relative major is G major, which uses exactly the same chords.

The seven chords in E minor

NumberChordFeels likeWhat it does
i Em Home The chord the key is named after. Songs usually start and end here.
ii° F#dim Tense An unstable chord that leads toward v. Rare outside jazz.
III G Bright The relative major. A brighter lift out of the minor sound.
iv Am Lift Moves away from home with a dark, warm colour.
v Bm Soft pull A gentle pull back to i. Many songs swap in a major V for a stronger pull.
VI C Warm A major chord that opens up the minor sound.
VII D Open A major chord a whole step below i. Common in rock and folk.

How to play them

Em

NUT E A D G B e 2 3
NUT E A D G B e 2 3

The red NUT marks the start of the neck, by the tuning pegs; frets count away from it. The thickest string is the low E (the letters show each string). × = don't play it, ○ = play it open. Numbers are fingers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little.

G D A E
G D A E

Mandolin, tuned G D A E (the letters under the strings). Each string is a pair played together. ○ = open string; the dots are where your fingers go.

F#dim

9fr E A D G B e × 1 2 4 3 ×
9fr E A D G B e × 1 2 4 3 ×

The red NUT marks the start of the neck, by the tuning pegs; frets count away from it. The thickest string is the low E (the letters show each string). × = don't play it, ○ = play it open. Numbers are fingers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little.

G D A E
G D A E

Mandolin, tuned G D A E (the letters under the strings). Each string is a pair played together. ○ = open string; the dots are where your fingers go.

G

NUT E A D G B e 2 1 3
NUT E A D G B e 2 1 3

The red NUT marks the start of the neck, by the tuning pegs; frets count away from it. The thickest string is the low E (the letters show each string). × = don't play it, ○ = play it open. Numbers are fingers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little.

G D A E
G D A E

Mandolin, tuned G D A E (the letters under the strings). Each string is a pair played together. ○ = open string; the dots are where your fingers go.

Am

NUT E A D G B e × 2 3 1
NUT E A D G B e × 2 3 1

The red NUT marks the start of the neck, by the tuning pegs; frets count away from it. The thickest string is the low E (the letters show each string). × = don't play it, ○ = play it open. Numbers are fingers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little.

G D A E
G D A E

Mandolin, tuned G D A E (the letters under the strings). Each string is a pair played together. ○ = open string; the dots are where your fingers go.

Bm

NUT E A D G B e × 1 3 4 2
NUT E A D G B e × 1 3 4 2

The red NUT marks the start of the neck, by the tuning pegs; frets count away from it. The thickest string is the low E (the letters show each string). × = don't play it, ○ = play it open. Numbers are fingers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little.

G D A E
G D A E

Mandolin, tuned G D A E (the letters under the strings). Each string is a pair played together. ○ = open string; the dots are where your fingers go.

C

NUT E A D G B e × 3 2 1
NUT E A D G B e × 3 2 1

The red NUT marks the start of the neck, by the tuning pegs; frets count away from it. The thickest string is the low E (the letters show each string). × = don't play it, ○ = play it open. Numbers are fingers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little.

G D A E
G D A E

Mandolin, tuned G D A E (the letters under the strings). Each string is a pair played together. ○ = open string; the dots are where your fingers go.

D

NUT E A D G B e × × 1 3 2
NUT E A D G B e × × 1 3 2

The red NUT marks the start of the neck, by the tuning pegs; frets count away from it. The thickest string is the low E (the letters show each string). × = don't play it, ○ = play it open. Numbers are fingers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little.

G D A E
G D A E

Mandolin, tuned G D A E (the letters under the strings). Each string is a pair played together. ○ = open string; the dots are where your fingers go.

Tap a chord to see it bigger.

Famous progressions in E

Each one is written as numbers first, then as the real chords in E minor. Play each chord for one bar (four beats) unless you decide otherwise.

The three-chord minor song

i iv v

Em Am Bm

The minor-key version of the three-chord song. Dark and simple.

The epic minor progression

i VI III VII

Em C G D

Four chords that rise and fall. Common in rock, pop and film music.

The Andalusian descent

i VII VI V

Em D C B

Four chords stepping down, ending on a major V that pulls hard back to i. Flamenco in origin, and everywhere in rock.

Heard in: Hit the Road Jack

Seventh chords used above

B

NUT E A D G B e × 1 3 3 3
NUT E A D G B e × 1 3 3 3

The red NUT marks the start of the neck, by the tuning pegs; frets count away from it. The thickest string is the low E (the letters show each string). × = don't play it, ○ = play it open. Numbers are fingers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little.

G D A E
G D A E

Mandolin, tuned G D A E (the letters under the strings). Each string is a pair played together. ○ = open string; the dots are where your fingers go.

Songs in E minor

Put these chords to work.

Other keys

C G D A E B F# Db Ab Eb Bb F | Am Em Bm F#m C#m G#m D#m Bbm Fm Cm Gm Dm

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