The E Minor Chord (Left-Handed)


Em is not only one of the simplest chords to play on the guitar but also a staple in a vast number of songs across genres, from folk and rock to classical music.

In the following (left-handed) guide you will learn:

  • Three ways to play E minor using left-handed chord charts
  • How to build an E minor chord from the E minor scale or by using intervals
  • The role of E minor in musical keys

How To Play E Minor

Open position

  1. Finger Placement:
    • Place your middle finger (2) on the 2nd fret of the A (5th) string.
    • Place your ring finger (3) on the 2nd fret of the D (4th) string.
  2. Strumming
    • Strum all 6 strings.

E Minor Chord – A Barre Shape

  1. Finger Placement:
    • Barre (press down) the first 5 strings at the 7th fret with your index finger.
    • Place your middle finger (2) on the 8th fret of the B (2nd) string.
    • Place your ring finger (3) on the 9th fret of the D (4th) string.
    • Place your pinky (4) on the 9th fret of the G (3rd) string.
  2. Strumming
    • Strum the top 5 strings from the A (5th) string to the high E (1st).

E Minor Chord – Moveable Shape

  1. Finger Placement:
    • Fret the 3rd fret of the high E string with your index finger (1).
    • Use your middle finger (2) to fret the G string (4th) at the 4th fret.
    • Use your pinky (4) to fret the B string (2) at the 12th fret.
  2. Strumming
    • Strum all 6 strings.

E Minor Chord – Theory

The E minor chord is derived from the E minor scale. This scale forms the basis for the chord’s construction. Here’s an outline of the scale, its notes, and how the chord is built.

E minor chord construction – using scale degrees

Scale Degree12b345b6b7
E Minor ScaleEF#GABCD
E Minor ChordEGB

As shown in the table above, the E minor chord consists of three notes: E (the root note), G (the minor third), and B (the perfect fifth).

To build the E minor chord from scale degrees, we use the E minor scale. In the E minor scale, the notes are E, F#, G, A, B, C, and D.

To form an E minor chord, we select the 1st, flattened 3rd (b3), and 5th degrees of this scale.

These degrees correspond to the notes E (the root), G (the minor third), and B (the perfect fifth). When played together, these three notes create the distinct sound of the E minor chord.

E minor chord construction – using intervals

IntervalRoot (E)M2m3P4P5m6m7
E Minor ScaleEF#GABCD
E Minor ChordEGB

Another method to create the E minor chord is by examining the intervals between its notes.

The intervals within an E minor chord include a minor third (m3) and a perfect fifth (P5) above the root note (E). The minor third, G, is three half-steps (semitones) above E, and the perfect fifth, B, is seven half-steps (semitones) above E.

Another way to visualize the construction of the E minor chord is in stacked thirds, e.g., moving through three note letters of the E minor scale. The 2nd note of the E minor chord is a third above the root note of E (E-F#-G). The 3rd note of the chord is a third above the 2nd note of G (G-A-B).

The Role Of E Minor – Chord Function

What is Chord Function?

Chord function refers to the role a chord plays within the context of a key, defining its relationship to the tonic (the first note of a scale or key) and its tendency to move towards certain other chords. Understanding chord functions helps in creating and analyzing chord progressions, providing insight into the harmonic structure and movement within a piece of music.

KeyChord NumberFunction
B MinorVDominant: Creates tension, often resolving to the tonic (E Minor).
A MinorIVSubdominant: Provides a stepping stone between the tonic (E Minor)
and dominant (B Minor).
E MinorITonic: The ‘home’ chord of the E Minor key.
G MajorIIIMediant: Offers a contrast to the tonic (E Minor) and can lead to the
subdominant (A Minor).
F# DiminishedIISupertonic: Commonly leads to the dominant (B Minor).
C MajorVISubmediant: Often used in chord progressions moving from the tonic
(E Minor) to the submediant (C Major) and then to the dominant (B Minor).
D MajorVIILeading Tone: Creates a strong desire to resolve to the tonic (E Minor).
Other KeysNANot present.
  • Key: The musical key.
  • Chord Number: Indicates the position of the chord within the key.
  • Chord Function: Describes the musical role of the chord in that key (e.g., Tonic, Subdominant, etc.).
About Marty

My name's Marty, I've been tinkering around on left-handed guitars for over 30 years.