E minor (Em) chord on banjo

Minor triad on E: the notes of the Em chord are E – G – B.

Dots show:

Basic shapeeasy

Position 4medium

Position 8medium

Tap a string on a diagram to hear just that string. The sound is generated in your browser with a physical string model.

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What the Em chord sounds like

A minor triad differs from a major one only in the third: it has a minor third, which gives it a darker, sadder colour. In a major key, chords ii, iii and vi are minor.

Notes of the Em chord

Degree	Note	Interval from the root
1	E	root
3	G	minor third (3 semitones)
5	B	perfect fifth (7 semitones)

How to play it – with fingering

Basic shape

String 1 (D): fret 2, middle finger (E4)
String 2 (B): open (B3)
String 3 (G): open (G3)
String 4 (D): fret 2, index finger (E3)

Position 4

String 1 (D): fret 5, little finger (G4)
String 2 (B): fret 5, ring finger (E4)
String 3 (G): fret 4, index finger (B3)
String 4 (D): fret 5, middle finger (G3)

Position 8

String 1 (D): fret 9, little finger (B4)
String 2 (B): fret 8, index finger (G4)
String 3 (G): fret 9, ring finger (E4)
String 4 (D): fret 9, middle finger (B3)

Five-string banjo in open G tuning (g D G B D). The diagram shows the four long strings; the short 5th string (g) rings open – avoid it when G is not in the chord. In the diagram, × means the string is not played, and a circle means an open string.

Which keys is it in?

The Em chord is built from the notes of these keys (for minor keys, both the natural and the harmonic minor are considered):

E minor: i (tonic)
A minor: v (dominant)
B minor: iv (subdominant)
C major: iii
G major: vi
D major: ii

Similar chords and substitutes

If Em is too hard, or you want a different colour in the same spot, these chords are worth a try.

Substitutes (by function)

G – relative major: two shared notes
C – the major chord a major third below: two shared notes
Em7 – a fuller, softer minor colour

Richer versions

Em7 – the same chord plus 1 colour note
Em6 – the same chord plus 1 colour note
Em9 – the same chord plus 2 colour notes

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the Em chord?

E, G, B. The root is E; the intervals of the other notes from the root: minor third, perfect fifth.

What is the easiest way to play Em on banjo?

The easiest shape above is “Basic shape”, rated easy. We show 3 shapes, from open and easy versions to movable barre shapes higher up the neck.

How do I read the chord diagram?

Strings run from the lowest (left) to the highest (right) – tick “Left-handed” to mirror it. Rows are frets; a number at the side shows the starting fret. Dots are fingers (1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little), a long bar is a barre, × means don't play that string and ○ means play it open.

How is the Em chord written?

The chord symbol is Em, and its full name is E minor.