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How to Play the E Minor Chord on Guitar

g major chord on guitar

E Minor Chord Overview

Notes

E-G-B

Interval Build & Degrees

I-♭III-V (Root, Minor Third, and Perfect Fifth)

Tab

0-2-2-0-0-0 (E-B-E-G-B-E)

E Minor Step by Step Instructions

Here is how you play E Minor:

1. Place your middle finger on the second fret of the fifth string (A)
2. Place your ring finger on the second fret of the fourth string (D)
3. Leave the first (high E), second (B), third (G), and sixth (low E) strings open
4. Strum all six strings

Common E Minor Voicings on Guitar

E Minor Barre Chord (6th string root)

12-14-14-12-12-12

E Minor Using 5th String as the Root

X-7-9-9-8-7

E Minor Using 4th String as the Root

X-X-2-0-0-0

E Minor First Inversion

X-X-X-12-12-12 (G as the root)

E Minor Second Inversion

X-X-X-4-5-3 (B as the the root)

Famous Songs That Use the E Minor Chord

  • Nothing Else Matters by Metallica
  • About a Girl by Nirvana
  • Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
  • Give Me Love by Ed Sheeran
  • Everybody Hurts by R.E.M.

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