E Minor Chord
The E minor chord uses E, G and B. Press those notes together and you have Em. Keep the root and fifth, then change only the middle note to hear how a minor chord differs from a major one.
- Notes: E-G-B
- Symbol: Em
- Three positions
Where are the notes?
E-G-B is another all-white-key triad. Its sound changes when G moves one key right to G sharp; the outside notes do not move.
E is the root. G is three semitones above it, a minor third. B is seven semitones above the root. If the written chord symbol has a small m, such as Em, the third is the note you should check first. Minor Chord gives the general formula.
How do the inversions work?
- Root position: E-G-B, with E lowest.
- First inversion: G-B-E, with G lowest.
- Second inversion: B-E-G, with B lowest.
When G is the lowest note in the whole arrangement, write Em/G. With B in the bass, write Em/B. An inversion changes the register and bass line, while the note set stays E-G-B.
Where does Em fit?
E minor is the home triad in E natural minor. It is also the sixth chord in G major. In that major key, the same notes have a different role because the melody and surrounding chords point elsewhere.
Try Em-Am-Bm-Em. These four chords come from the E natural-minor scale. The final Em repeats the first chord, so listen for the return after the middle two. If you later replace the chord on scale degree 5 with its major form, you will introduce a raised seventh from harmonic minor.
What changes in E major?
Raise G to G sharp; keep E and B. You get E-G sharp-B. Play both chords at the same volume, then alternate their thirds alone. The single changed key is the reliable distinction, even when tempo or instrument color changes.
A short practice loop
Play E-G-B together, then G-B-E. Name the new lowest note before pressing "Hear" again. Return to root position, change G to G sharp, and say whether the result is major or minor.