E Minor Chord

Em Level 1: The Campfire

E Minor (Em) is built from the notes E, G, B. Its intervals are Root — Minor 3rd — Perfect 5th. Darker, more introspective, and emotionally complex. The minor triad pulls the brightness of major downward by a single semitone in the third, changing the entire mood.

Hear E Minor Chord

Piano sample · tap to play

Notes and intervals

Interval Semitones Note
Root 0 E
Minor 3rd 3 G
Perfect 5th 7 B

What does e minor chord sound like?

Darker, more introspective, and emotionally complex. The minor triad pulls the brightness of major downward by a single semitone in the third, changing the entire mood.

E Minor Chord in music

The most natural minor key on guitar (all open strings relate to it). "Nothing Else Matters" by Metallica, "Eleanor Rigby" by The Beatles, and "Losing My Religion" by R.E.M. use E minor.

How to recognise e minor chord by ear

Compare it directly to major. The third is lower — it feels like a shadow falling across the chord. Don't just think "sad" — think "deeper." The fifth is the same as major, so focus on the third.

Practice identifying this chord in ChordFrog's Level 1: The Campfire .

Practice tip

E minor is the most natural minor chord on guitar — all open strings belong to the E natural minor scale. Practise switching between E major and E minor. The shift from G# to G natural is subtle on piano but transforms the character entirely.

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in a E Minor chord?
E Minor (Em) contains three notes: E, G, B. The intervals are Root, Minor 3rd, Perfect 5th.
How do I recognise E Minor by ear?
Compare it directly to major. The third is lower — it feels like a shadow falling across the chord. Don't just think "sad" — think "deeper." The fifth is the same as major, so focus on the third. Practice identifying E Minor in ChordFrog's Level 1 (The Campfire).
What level is E Minor in ChordFrog?
E Minor is introduced at Level 1: The Campfire. This is the starting level with white-key major triads.

Other E chords

E Major Chord E Diminished Chord E Augmented Chord E Sus2 Chord E Sus4 Chord

All Minor Chords chords

C Minor Chord D♭ Minor Chord D Minor Chord E♭ Minor Chord F Minor Chord F♯ Minor Chord G Minor Chord A♭ Minor Chord A Minor Chord B♭ Minor Chord B Minor Chord

Hear e minor chord for yourself

Train your ear to recognise this chord instantly with ChordFrog's progressive levels.

Coming soon

Requires iOS 16 or later.