The chord collection

The Em7 chord, left-handed

Beginner · Minor seventh. Build the shape, check each string and hear how it sounds.

Left-handed Em7 diagram

Vertical: high e on the left, nut at the top. Horizontal: high e at the top, nut on the right. X = silent, O = open. Dot numbers are fingers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little. A thick line joins notes held with one finger as a barre.

Fret and finger guide

Both codes read from low E to high e, regardless of the diagram view.

Frets
0 · 2 · 0 · 0 · 0 · 0
Fingers
– · 2 · – · – · – · –
Level
Beginner (this fingering)

Make a clean Em7 chord

One fretted note is enough for this full Em7 voicing. Let all five open strings ring.

  1. Place one finger at a time, just behind the fret wire.
  2. Pick each sounding string slowly. Adjust any finger that mutes its neighbour.
  3. Release pressure, then make the shape again. Aim for a relaxed hand.
  4. Strum four beats, rest for four, then repeat. Rest if your hand becomes tired; stop if you feel pain.

Another way to play it

Compare with Em by adding the D-string note at fret 2.

Fret codes are written low E to high e. An x means leave that string silent.

Practise chord changes with a metronome →
Understand the sound

Em7 notes and chord formula

A minor seventh adds a flat seventh to a minor triad. Compare it with the plain minor chord and listen for the added colour.

Formula
1 – b3 – 5 – b7
Chord notes
E – G – B – D

How to read chord diagrams · Build a comfortable barre · Connect chord shapes with CAGED

Explore related shapes

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