The E minor chord (often written as “Em”) is a triad built from three notes: E, G, and B. Learning this chord is a great step toward mastering the piano!
Once you’re comfortable with the basic Em chord, learning its inversions will add harmonic variety and create smoother transitions in your playing.
E Minor Chord in Root Position
The E minor chord is built from three notes: E, G, and B.
- E is the root.
- G is the minor third.
- B is the perfect fifth.
To play the E minor chord:
- Find the notes E, G, and B on the piano keyboard, starting with E.
- With your right hand, position your thumb (1) on E, your middle finger (3) on G, and your pinky finger (5) on B.
- With your left hand, position your pinky finger (5) on E, your middle finger (3) on G, and your thumb (1) on B.
E minor chord inversions
Inversions are just different ways to play the same chord. Here are two inversions of the E minor chord:
First inversion (Em/G)
In this inversion, G is the bass note, and the notes are arranged in this order: G, B, E. Here’s a suggested fingering:
- Right hand: 1 (thumb) on G, 2 (index finger) on B, and 5 (pinky) on E
- Left hand: 5 (pinky) on G, 3 (middle finger) on B, and 1 (thumb) on E
Second inversion (Em/B)
In the second inversion, B is the bass note, and the note order is B, E, G. Try this fingering:
- Right hand: 1 (thumb) on B, 3 (middle finger) on E, and 5 (pinky) on G
- Left hand: 5 (pinky) on B, 2 (index finger) on E, and 1 (thumb) on G
In Closing
To review, the E minor chord is made up of the notes E, G, and B. You can play it in root position, as Em/G in the first inversion, or as Em/B in the second inversion.
Consistent practice is the key to playing the E minor chord and its inversions smoothly. Try using the E minor chord in different songs and chord progressions to get a feel for its sound and versatility.