One of the first chords all guitar players should lean is the Em chord. So in this guitar lesson I’m going to show you the Em chord guitar variations.
What You will learn in this Em chord guitar variations guitar lesson: 5 Em Chord Guitar Variations.
- Open Chord Position of the E minor chord.
- Em chord 5th string root barre chord
- Just as easy Em chord.
- Power chord Em finger position.
- Finger Position of the Em chord.
- Chord Diagrams are included
- Bonus Video
If your ready to dive in to all the FAQ about the Em chord and the variations. Then grab your guitar & lets get started.
e minor Chord Guitar
Open Chord Position of the E minor Chord
Here is the very first chord to start with. The Em chord. Which is pronounced the e minor chord. The reason this should be your first to learn is you only need to use two fingers to play the chord. Which makes it fairly easy.
I know starting out nothing seems easy. But give yourself some time to really get it down. After all playing the guitar is a foreign object that your trying to learn. It feels awkward to hold and hard to press the strings down. Which is completely normal. So don’t be so hard on yourself take your time and it will get easier after about a month.
Pro Tip: The more you hold your guitar the more it will become “normal.” Hold it on your lap watching TV. Hold the pick in your hand. Before long it will feel natural.
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Em Open Chord Position
How to Play E minor Guitar Chord
- Your second finger is placed on the 5th string. At the second fret.
- Put your third finger on the 4th string. Also at the second fret.
- When strumming the Em chord you can play all the strings.
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What Notes are in the Em Chord
The Two Notes that your fingers are playing are:
- Your second finger is playing the B note on the second fret of the A string. (5th string)
- Then the Third finger is playing the E note on the D string the 4th string.
There is a rule in music that says a chord is made up of three notes. The Em chord is E B & G. So your probably asking the question; How is the Em a chord when your fingers are only playing two notes. And you just said that a chord is 3 notes. Good Question!
The strings make a sound and when the guitar is in tune. Then the sound or pitch that the string makes when you play it is also the note. And how do you know what note? Easy it is also the name of the string. For example on the Em chord the third note is the G. Which is the name and pitch of the 3rd string. The G string.
When you play the Em chord. There are some duplicate notes being played. Since you are strumming all the strings. Which are the E and B. To really dive into chords check out Guitar Bootcamp.
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Just as Easy Em chord Finger Position
Just like the E minor chord you just learned this one is as easy. But we are venturing out and using three fingers. Look at this diagram here. Why would you want to play the chord like this? To give the chord a more robust and different sound. Take a look at how to play the E minor chord this easy way.
Related article: Blues Rhythm Guitar Lesson.
Em Easy Chord Finger Position
- Second finger is placed on the 5th string. At the second fret.
- Your third finger on the 4th string. Also at the second fret.
- Use your pinkie and place it on the 3rd fret of the 1st string. (The e string)
- When strumming the Em chord you can play all the strings.
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How to Play an Em Power Chord
Power chord Em Finger Position
- Place Your first finger at the 7th fret on the A string. (5th string)
- Then your third finger is on the 4th string at the 9th fret.
- You can strum all the strings.
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Related Article: What’s a Power Chord.
Em Chord 5th String Root Barre Chord
When your starting out you want to learn some open chords. Then as you get a little bit further along. In your guitar journey. You can learn some more chords. So the next chord we are going to learn is a Em in the second position. Second position meaning on the neck of the guitar. And it looks like this.
Related article: Friends in Low Places Chords.
How to Play em bar Chord on Guitar
- First place your first finger across the first 5 strings. At the 7th fret.
- Next your second finger is at the 8th fret on the second string. (The B string)
- Then place your third finger on the 9th fret of the 4th string. (The D string)
- Your Pinkie is going on the 3rd string. Right under your third finger. On the G String.
- When you play this Em chord. Don’t strum the 6th string.
Pro Tip: To Avoid accidentally playing the 6th string. Use your index finger and nudge it up against the 6th string. So that when you are strumming away even if you accidently hit the 6th string it will not ring out. As your finger against it is muting the string.
Related Article: What are the 6 strings on a guitar.
Related Questions
What’s the Difference Between Em Chord and E Guitar Chord ?
One visible difference when you write out E minor. Or minor chords in General you are not writing out the word. For example if you write em or Dm. You just place a small m next to the Chord. The small “m” signify’s minor. When you are speaking of Major Chords. You always write out Major. And it is always capitalized.
Another difference is the minor chord formula is 1 3 5 and the Major chord formula is a 1, b3 5. Let me show you this using an Em and E chord. The notes in the Em chord are E B G and the E chord is E Ab and G. To learn more about this and other chords check out the guitar bootcamp here.
What is a Chord?
A chord is the sound of two or more notes. Usually three notes make played at the same time. In the example of a guitar when the strings are strummed all together. Most chords are based off of a Triad or three notes. With an interval of a Major or minor third between each of the notes. Source
