Em7 chord
Em7 is E, G, B and D: 1–♭3–5–♭7 built on E. Below: guitar, piano and ukulele, each playable.
On guitar
0-2-0-0-0-0 · open · easy
- Notes
- E · G · B · D
- Formula
- 1 · ♭3 · 5 · ♭7
- First shape
- 0-2-0-0-0-0
Em7 on guitar: every shape, finger by finger
On piano
root position · E–G–B–D · right hand 1-2-3-5
- Notes
- E · G · B · D
- Formula
- 1 · ♭3 · 5 · ♭7
Em7 on piano: fingering and inversions
On ukulele
0-2-0-2 · open · easy
- Notes
- E · G · B · D
- Formula
- 1 · ♭3 · 5 · ♭7
- First shape
- 0-2-0-2
Em7 and the chords around it
The moves below are the ones you'll meet most, shown for guitar and piano.
- Em7 → A7 (V in D major)
Guitar: Em7 (0-2-0-0-0-0) to A7 (x-0-2-0-2-0): the index finger slides across to the D string at the same fret, the middle finger comes down on the B string, 2nd fret. E and G carry over from one chord to the other.
Piano: Em7 to A7: play A7 in 2nd inversion (E–G–A–C♯) and E and G stay under the same fingers, while B moves down to A and D down to C♯. A7 - Em7 → Gmaj7 (IV in D major)
Guitar: Em7 (0-2-0-0-0-0) to Gmaj7 (3-2-0-0-0-2): your index finger stays put, the middle finger comes down on the high E string, 2nd fret, the ring finger comes down on the low E string, 3rd fret. G, B and D carry over from one chord to the other.
Piano: Em7 to Gmaj7: play Gmaj7 in 3rd inversion (F♯–G–B–D) and G, B and D stay under the same fingers, while E moves up to F♯. Gmaj7 - Em7 → Dmaj7 (I in D major)
Guitar: Em7 (0-2-0-0-0-0) to Dmaj7 (x-x-0-2-2-2): the index finger goes to the G string, 2nd fret, the middle finger comes down on the B string, 2nd fret, the ring finger comes down on the high E string, 2nd fret. No finger can stay, so practice lifting all of them together and landing the new shape as a unit. The two chords share D, which is why the change sounds smooth.
Piano: Em7 to Dmaj7: play Dmaj7 in 1st inversion (F♯–A–C♯–D) and D stays under the same finger, while E moves up to F♯, G up to A and B up to C♯. Dmaj7
Guitar with a capo: capo 2, Dm7 shape; capo 5, Bm7 shape; capo 7, Am7 shape. Ukulele with a capo: capo 2, Dm7 shape; capo 5, Bm7 shape; capo 7, Am7 shape.
How Em7 is built
Em7 is a minor seventh chord: a minor triad plus a minor seventh. It is mellow rather than sad, and slides easily into other chords, which is why funk, R&B and jazz lean on it.
Start on E, count 3 half steps up to G, 4 half steps up to B then 3 half steps up to D.
| Note | Role | Half steps | Hear it |
|---|---|---|---|
| E | root | 0 | |
| G | minor third | 3 | |
| B | perfect fifth | 7 | |
| D | minor seventh | 10 |
Keys and progressions with Em7
You'll find Em7 as ii7 in D major, iii7 in C major and vi7 in G major. On the minor side it's i7 in E minor, iv7 in B minor and v7 in A minor.
Em7 – A7 – Dmaj7: that's ii–V–I in the key of D major. the jazz cadence
Chords close to Em7
- Em7 is Em plus D. Em
Chords that share most of their notes with Em7: G6, Em, G, Cmaj7, Cadd9, C♯m7♭5.
Every E chord
Em7 chord: questions
What notes are in the Em7 chord?
E, G, B and D. Em7 is built 1–♭3–5–♭7 from E: G is the minor third, B is the perfect fifth and D is the minor seventh.
How do you play Em7 on guitar?
The usual shape is 0-2-0-0-0-0 (open). All 3 guitar shapes.
How do you play Em7 on piano?
Play E, G, B and D with right-hand fingers 1-2-3-5. E sits just right of the pair of black keys. Inversions and left hand.
How do you play Em7 on ukulele?
0-2-0-2 in standard GCEA tuning. More ukulele shapes.
What key is Em7 in?
You'll find Em7 as ii7 in D major, iii7 in C major and vi7 in G major. On the minor side it's i7 in E minor, iv7 in B minor and v7 in A minor.
What's the difference between Em7 and Em?
Em7 is Em plus D.
Diagrams and sound come from the same data, tested so they match. Updated September 2026.