Basic Beginner Guitar Chords – Learn the E Minor Chord

Easy Beginner Guitar Chord -- Learn to Play E Minor

The E Minor Chord (also known as Em) is found by locating the 1, b3 and 5 steps of the E Major Scale: E, F#, G#, A, B, C#, and D#, or the notes E, G and B. The “b3″ symbol translates to “Flattened 3rd” , which means we simply lower the 3rd step of the E Major Scale (G#) a 1/2 step to an “G”. The E Minor Chord is one of the easiest chords you will ever learn to play and also one of the most beautiful sounding ones.

E Minor Chord notes: E G B

Here is a key that will help you read the chart:

Everything on the above chart should be self explanatory, except for the last three in the third column. They may need a bit of explaining. The O, or open symbol, simply means that you do not press down on any notes on that string. The X means you do not strum that particular string. The Barre symbol means you need to barre that particular fret. When you barre a fret you are pressing down on multiple strings at the same time with one finger.

Just like all other chords, make certain that you are pushing your fingers down firmly on the strings. Play each string one at a time to see if the strings are producing a clean sound.