E minor seventh (Em7) chord on piano

Looking for the Em7 chord on piano? It is a minor seventh chord (a minor triad plus a minor seventh), made of four notes: E – G – B – D.

Root position: E4 – G4 – B4 – D5

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What the Em7 chord sounds like

A minor seventh chord is softer than a plain minor chord – the minor seventh fills out the sound. In jazz it is the ii of the ii–V–I, in pop and soul a common colour chord.

Notes of the Em7 chord

Degree	Note	Interval from the root
1	E	root
3	G	minor third (3 semitones)
5	B	perfect fifth (7 semitones)
7	D	minor seventh (10 semitones)

Root position and inversions

An inversion uses the same notes, with a different note at the bottom. When you change chords, choosing the nearest inversion keeps your hand almost still.

Root position

E4 – G4 – B4 – D5

1st inversion

G4 – B4 – D5 – E5

2nd inversion

B4 – D5 – E5 – G5

3rd inversion

D5 – E5 – G5 – B5

Which keys is it in?

The Em7 chord is built from the notes of these keys (for minor keys, both the natural and the harmonic minor are considered):

E minor: i7 (tonic)
A minor: v7 (dominant)
B minor: iv7 (subdominant)
C major: iii7
G major: vi7
D major: ii7

Similar chords and substitutes

If Em7 is too hard, or you want a different colour in the same spot, these chords are worth a try.

Substitutes (by function)

Gmaj7 – relative major seventh: three shared notes
A7 – in a ii–V, this is the dominant that follows

Same notes

G6 – the same notes with a different root

Simpler versions

Em – all 3 of its notes are in this chord

Richer versions

Em9 – the same chord plus 1 colour note

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the Em7 chord?

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

How do I play the Em7 chord on piano?

In root position, the right hand usually plays with fingers 1, 3 and 5 (thumb, middle finger, little finger); four-note chords with fingers 1, 2, 3 and 5. The left hand mirrors this: 5, 3, 1. In an inversion the top or bottom note moves to the other side, so your hand moves less when you change chords.

How is the Em7 chord written?

The chord symbol is Em7, and its full name is E minor seventh.