A phrase in C major
- C
- Em
- G7
- C
Hear Em in a tonic–chord–dominant–tonic phrase. Its role depends on its position, not just its quality.
Discover the chord. Understand the music.
Explore notes on guitar or piano, uncover their harmony, and turn your ideas into practice.
Standard tuning E2–A2–D3–G3–B3–E4 · Shape 0–7–5–4–0–0
Open
Open
Fret 4
Fret 5
Fret 7
Open
123456789101112
Tap a fret to place a finger (tap again to mute). O = open string, ✕ = muted. One sounding note per string.
Selected:E2E3G3B3E4
- Root
- 3rd / sus
- 5th
- 7th
- 6th / extensions
Em
E minor
A root, a minor third and a perfect fifth — the darker cousin of the major triad.
- Chord tones
- E1 · RootG♭3 · 3rdB5 · 5th
- Formula
- 1–♭3–5
- Root / bass
- E / E
- Notes played (low → high)
- E2 · E3 · G3 · B3 · E4
Em · minor
How to Use This Chord
Sound & role
Can provide stability as a tonic, or connection and tension elsewhere in a key.
Genre examples
Pop
Folk
Rock
Examples of musical settings, not restrictions or claims about how often this chord appears.
Connection & passing potential
No specific chromatic passing use is established by these notes alone. A passing function requires a starting chord, a destination and voice movement.
Diatonic context · example keys
Every chord tone fits these example keys. Other keys may also fit; the chord root is not assumed to be the tonic.
C major · iii
major
D major · ii
major