What is E Minor 7?
The E Minor 7 guitar chord is formed by the notes E – G – B – D and is played using the fingering 022030. It’s a minor chord commonly used in Em7-Am7-Dm7-G7.
E Minor 7 Chord Diagram
Standard Position
6th (E) string: Open
5th (A) string: 2th fret
4th (D) string: 2th fret
3rd (G) string: Open
2nd (B) string: 3th fret
1st (E) string: Open
How to Play E Minor 7
- Place fingertips close to the fret wire using the diagram 022030.
- Arch fingers so they don’t touch adjacent strings; keep thumb behind the neck.
- Pick each string to check for buzz or mute; adjust pressure and curl.
- Strum slow down-strums; add down–down–up–up–down–up when clean.
Pro Tip: Practice chord changes with a metronome at 70–90 BPM for one-minute rounds.
E Minor 7 Variations
Em7add9
022032
Adds the 9th for extra color
Em7/G
322030
First inversion with G in bass
Popular Songs Using E Minor 7
Famous Examples:
- • Stairway to Heaven
- • Wonderwall
More Hits:
- • Black
- • Tears in Heaven
Common Chord Progressions with E Minor 7
Em7-Am7-Dm7-G7
Classic jazz progression
Cmaj7-Em7-Am7-Dm7
Smooth descending progression
Em7-A7-Dm7-G7
A popular progression used in many songs
Practice Tips for E Minor 7
1. Easy Beginner Chord
One of the easiest minor 7th chords to learn
2. Versatile Use
Works great in pop, folk, and jazz contexts
Common Substitutions for E Minor 7
Music Theory Behind E Minor 7
Notes in E Minor 7: E - G - B - D
Scale: E - F# - G - A - B - C - D - E
Key Signature: One sharp (F#)
Relative Major: Gmaj7
Em7 is a minor 7th chord built on the E minor triad with the added minor 7th (D). It's built from the 3rd degree of the C major scale.
Related Chords to Learn
Master E Minor 7 Today!
E Minor 7 is perfect for beginners. Practice daily and you'll have it mastered in no time!