E minor 7 (Em7) is a beautiful chord composed of the notes E, G, B, and D. The combination of the minor key (G is the flat 3rd of the major scale) and the 7th interval (D) give it a rich, interesting sound.
There are several different ways to play Em7 in an open position with standard tuning, most of which are highly accessible for beginner guitar players without compromising sound. Let’s go over a few of those formations along with examples of songs that use each of these Em7 chord variations wisely.
If you’re already familiar with a open E minor chord (and even if you’re not), the following formation is probably the easiest to pick up. You’ll fret just one note and play all six strings.
Em7 Chord Position Variations
Strumming down from the low E string gives you the following notes from lowest to highest: E, B, D, G, B, E.
This simple yet deep version of the chord is used in Marvin Gaye’s “Let's Get It On”. The chord progression of the song is repetitive and relatively simple—which is exactly what the song needs. It creates a consistent groove that allows all the other elements to dance around it: Gaye’s emotive vocal performance; the iconic electric guitar (wah wah wah wahhhhh); soaring horns; warm backup vocals; restrained but oh-so-satisfying drums (including the fill at 3:48 into the song —pure fire).
The Em7 chord formation above is a quick win, and it will help you get into playing classic songs like this 1973 hit.
Em7b9 Add(7) Guitar Chord
Place your pinky and ring fingers on the 3rd fret of the high E and B strings, respectively. Your middle finger stretches over to the 2nd fret on the 4th string (A in standard tuning).
This version of the chord gives you a higher, more delicate sound. It’s also the perfect formation for instances like the bridge in “Say Yes” by Elliott Smith. This track appears on the 1997 album Either/Or and is one of three of Smith’s songs to grace the soundtrack for Good Will Hunting.
The bridge of “Say Yes” brings Smith’s myriad strengths sharply into focus and also illustrates the magic of this particular Em7. The bridge starts with the line, “Crooked spin can't come to rest. I’m damaged bad, at best.” Behind the lyrics and hauntingly beautiful vocal harmonies, the guitar transitions quickly among several expanded chords. It’s impressive for sure—but it’s made possible partially by smart decisions like using this version of the Em7.
E Minor 7th
The pinky and ring finger can stay in the exact same place for several chord changes as the index finger handles the moving bass notes. The bridge culminates in the overarching thesis of the song: “They want you or they don’t. Say yes.” This song alone is incentive enough to learn how to play the guitar. What are you waiting for?
Let’s go over one more common version of Em7 in an open position. This formation combines the first two versions we looked at.
Strum all six strings for this version. It requires more stretching for your fingers, but it results in a much more rich, complex sound.
Chord Em7 Royalty Free Photos And Stock Images
The more you play, the more you’ll pick up on the nuances of these different chord formations. When you listen to this particular version of the Em7 chord, it’s clear why Oasis chose it for “Live Forever” (it kicks in at the beginning of the chorus with the line “Maybe I just wanna fly”). The fullness of this Em7 has the same feel as the other expanded chords the band tends to use. As you keep learning guitar, you’ll notice patterns like this. Each musician develops their own signature sound made up of puzzle pieces like chord selections.
Ready to start building your signature sound? Start your free trial of Play today to learn more chords like this and to play music that inspires you!The E Minor 7 (Em7) chord is a beautiful and versatile chord that’s widely used in various musical genres. It’s a chord that adds depth and complexity to your music, and learning how to play it can open up new avenues in your guitar playing. In this post, we are going to discuss the EM7 chord in detail, including its structure, and different ways to play it. So, without further ado, let’s get started.
It’s a more sophisticated version of the regular Em chord, and the flattened 7th is what gives this chord its unique sound.
Em7 Guitar Chord (all Fourths Tuning)
This is a beginner-friendly version of the Em7 chord. Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the A (5th) string and strum all six strings.
This simple version is often used in soulful songs like Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On, ” providing a rich and resonant sound.
Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the D (4th) string, your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the B (2nd) string, and your pinky finger on the 3rd fret of the E (1st) string. Strum four strings down from the D string.
Easy Guitar Chords You Should Learn First (guitar Tab + Diagrams + Tips)
Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the A (5th) string, your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the D (4th) string, your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the B (2nd) string, and your pinky finger on the 3rd fret of the E (1st) string.
For a more chimey sound, you can play the Em7 chord at the 7th fret. Barre the first through fifth strings with your first finger on the 7th fret, place your 3rd finger on the 4th string 9th fret, and your 2nd finger on the 2nd string 8th fret. This version, played up on the 7th fret, offers a bright and vibrant tone.
For beginners or those looking for a simple way to play the Em7 chord, you can use just one finger. Place your 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the A string (5th string) and strum all the strings. This is the easiest way to play the Em7 chord and still provides a beautiful sound.
E Minor 7th Sharp 5 Guitar Chord
For a more advanced version, you can play the Em7 chord as a barre shape on the 12th fret. Barre over all the strings on the 12th fret and place your 3rd finger on the 14th fret of the A string (5th string). Strum all the strings for a rich and resonant sound.
This version requires placing your 1st finger on the 12th fret of the low E string (6th string), your 2nd finger on the 12th fret of the D string (4th string), your 3rd finger on the 12th fret of the G string (3rd string), and your 4th finger on the 12th fret of the B string (2nd string). It offers a jazzy feel and is great for experimental playing.
This version is based on the Cm7 shape and requires placing your 2nd finger on the 7th fret of the A string (5th string), your 1st finger on the 5th fret of the D string (4th string), your 3rd finger on the 7th fret of the G string (3rd string), and your 4th finger on the 8th fret of the B string (2nd string). It’s a bit of a stretch but offers a unique and appealing sound.
E Minor 7th Flat 9th Guitar Chord
Each of these variations of the Em7 chord offers a unique flavor and can be used to add depth and variety to your playing.
It’s commonly found in songs across various genres, and you can use any of the chord voicings from this guide to replace an Em chord in a song.
The Em7 chord is a staple in jazz and blues music. Its rich and complex sound adds depth and sophistication to chord progressions. Jazz musicians often use the Em7 chord as a ii chord in a ii-V-I progression, one of the most common chord progressions in jazz.
Em7 Chord On The Guitar (e Minor 7)
The Em7 chord is also prevalent in pop and rock music. Its versatile sound makes it a great choice for adding flavor to a song.
For example, the Em7 chord is used in the iconic song “Wonderwall” by Oasis, where it adds a unique color to the chord progression.
You can use the Em7 chord as a substitute for the regular Em chord in many songs. By adding the flattened 7th note (D), the Em7 chord provides a more textured and nuanced sound.
A New Guitar Chord Every Day: Em7 / G6
By learning the different ways to play this chord and incorporating it into your playing, you can enhance your musical expression and creativity.
Marko is a passionate composer, producer, and multimedia artist with a Master of Music degree. His career involves performing, creating, and producing his own music in his home studio using digital and analogue equipment. Marko is a multi-instrumentalist (he plays guitar, bass, piano, theremin, and other instruments). performs live acts and DJ sets, and works on feature and short films, documentaries, festivals, theaters, and government initiatives.
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