E minor chord on piano (Em)
Em is E, G and B. E is the white key just right of the pair of black keys. Tap Play, then slow it down.
root position · E–G–B · right hand 1-3-5
- Notes
- E · G · B
- Formula
- 1 · ♭3 · 5
How to play Em on piano
From E, go 3 half steps up to G then 4 half steps up to B. Those 3 keys are Em.
- Right hand: 1 on E, 3 on G and 5 on B.
- Left hand: 5 on E, 3 on G and 1 on B.
- On the keyboard it's white, white and white keys, the same pattern as Dm and Am, so your hand shape carries over.
Em inversions
- root position: E–G–B. RH 1-3-5.
- 1st inversion: G–B–E, with G at the bottom. Right hand 1-2-5.
- 2nd inversion: B–E–G, with B at the bottom. Fingers 1-3-5.
Use the inversions to stay put: the next chord is often one inversion away from where your hand already is, as the changes below show.
Em chord changes
The chords Em usually goes to, and what changes under your fingers.
- A (V in D major): Em to A: play A in 2nd inversion (E–A–C♯) and E stays under the same finger, while G moves up to A and B up to C♯. A on piano
- G (IV in D major): Em to G: play G in 2nd inversion (D–G–B) and G and B stay under the same fingers, while E moves down to D. G on piano
- D (I in D major): Em to D: play D in root position (D–F♯–A), while E moves down to D, G down to F♯ and B down to A. D on piano
Minor chords sound shaded compared with major ones. A minor chord softens a progression. Try Em right after E major to hear how much one note changes. The one-by-one button above makes that quality easy to hear.
A short Em drill
Roll the chord up and back down, E, G, B, G, E, before playing it as a block. Then climb the inversions: E–G–B, then G–B–E, then B–E–G.
The keys of Em
Em is a minor chord, 1–♭3–5 from E. Root position, from the bottom: how Em is built.
| Note | Key | Fingers | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| E | white key | RH 1 · LH 5 | root |
| G | white key | RH 3 · LH 3 | minor third |
| B | white key | RH 5 · LH 1 | perfect fifth |
Where Em shows up
In E minor, i–VI–III–VII on piano is Em (E–G–B), C (C–E–G), G (G–B–D) and D (D–F♯–A). About the minor anthem.
In E minor, i–iv–V on piano is Em (E–G–B), Am (A–C–E) and B (B–D♯–F♯). About the minor cadence.
In E minor, i–VII–VI–V on piano is Em (E–G–B), D (D–F♯–A), C (C–E–G) and B (B–D♯–F♯). About the Andalusian cadence.
Em on guitar and ukulele
The same notes on another instrument: Em on guitar and Em on ukulele. This page puts all three side by side.
Close to Em
Other minor chords
Em on piano: questions
What notes are in Em on piano?
E, G and B: E (white key), G (white key) and B (white key). Right hand 1-3-5, left hand 5-3-1.
How do you play Em on piano?
Press E, G and B together, all white keys. Right hand: 1 on E, 3 on G and 5 on B.
What are the inversions of Em?
1st inversion (G–B–E) and 2nd inversion (B–E–G), after root position (E–G–B). Each keeps all the notes of the chord.
What does Em look like on the keyboard?
white, white and white keys, the same pattern as Dm and Am, so one hand shape covers all of them.
Every shape above plays only E, G and B, checked by the site's tests. Updated September 2026.