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E minor (Em) on guitar

The E minor scale consists of the notes E – F♯ – G – A – B – C – D and has 1 sharp. Below you can see every usable note on the neck up to fret 15.

E minorNatural minor scale

♪ Click a note on the fretboard to hear its sound.

E
B
G
D
A
E
0123•45•67•89•101112••131415•
Root noteOther notes
Click a note to hear it · frets 0–15

Chords in E minor

Common progression: Em – C – G – D (i–VI–III–VII).

Quick overview

Root note
E
Mode
minor
Key signature
1 sharp
Pentatonic
E G A B D
Relative key
G major

Well-known songs in E minor

  • A Horse with No NameAmerica
  • Another One Bites the DustQueen
  • Behind Blue EyesThe Who
  • Can't StopRed Hot Chili Peppers
  • Dazed and ConfusedLed Zeppelin
  • Eleanor RigbyThe Beatles
  • Enter SandmanMetallica
  • Heart of GoldNeil Young
  • Hey YouPink Floyd
  • Livin' on a PrayerBon Jovi
  • Master of PuppetsMetallica
  • Nothing Else MattersMetallica
  • Paint It BlackThe Rolling Stones
  • ParanoidBlack Sabbath
  • Seek & DestroyMetallica
  • Seven Nation ArmyThe White Stripes
  • Take Me to ChurchHozier
  • The TrooperIron Maiden
  • ZombieThe Cranberries

Key of the original recording; live versions or covers may differ.

CAGED positions

With the CAGED system you play Em in five positions across the whole neck. Each shape connects to the next.

  • Em shapearound fret 0 · root on low E string, fret 0
  • Dm shapearound fret 2 · root on D string, fret 2
  • Cm shapearound fret 4 · root on A string, fret 7
  • Am shapearound fret 7 · root on A string, fret 7
  • Gm shapearound fret 9 · root on low E string, fret 12

Learn E minor in 5 steps

  1. Step 1

    Find the root note E

    Find E on the low E string (fret 12) and on the A string (fret 7). Play them alternately and say the name out loud. Every pattern below hangs off these two points.

  2. Step 2

    Play the main chords

    Learn the three most important chords: Em (i), Am (iv) and Bm (v). Switch between them at a slow tempo until you can play through without stopping.

  3. Step 3

    Learn the pentatonic in box 1

    The minor pentatonic (E G A B D) is the first pattern to learn. Put your index finger around fret 12 and play two notes per string, from the low E to the high e and back.

  4. Step 4

    Extend to the full scale

    Add the two missing notes (F♯ and C) in the same position. Now you're playing all seven notes of E mineur: E F♯ G A B C D.

  5. Step 5

    Improvise over a chord progression

    Record Em – C – D – Em (or ask someone to play it) and solo over it using box 1. End your phrases on E and listen to how that "coming home" sounds.

Playing E minor with a capo

Go to the capo guide

Solo tips for E minor

  1. Start with the minor pentatonic scale (E G A B D). The best-known "box" pattern starts on the root E on the low E string, fret 12.
  2. End your phrases on the root E for a resolved feeling, or on the third G and fifth B for tension.
  3. Add the blue note B♭ as a passing note for a bluesy sound — don't linger on it too long.
  4. Over the Bm chord (the v) deliberately play the notes of that chord to make the chord changes audible.
  5. Want a more classical, "Spanish" sound? Raise the 7th degree to D♯ (harmonic minor), especially over the V chord.

Frequently asked questions about E minor

Which notes are in E mineur?

E mineur (Em) consists of the notes E, F♯, G, A, B, C, D. The key signature has 1 sharp.

Which chords fit E mineur?

The diatonic chords in E mineur are Em, F♯dim, G, Am, Bm, C, D. You can freely combine them; they all sound good within the key.

What is the relative key of E mineur?

The relative key is G major. It uses exactly the same notes and key signature, just with a different tonal centre.

Which pentatonic scale do you use in E mineur?

Use the minor pentatonic scale: E, G, A, B, D. It avoids the "tricky" half-step intervals and almost always sounds good.

How do I find E on the guitar neck?

You'll find the root E on the low E string at fret 12 and on the A string at fret 7, among other places.