Left-handed Em 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 · 2 · 0 · 0 · 0- Fingers
- – · 2 · 3 · – · – · –
- Level
- Beginner (this fingering)
Make a clean Em chord
Strum all six strings. Listen for each of the four open strings.
- Place one finger at a time, just behind the fret wire.
- Pick each sounding string slowly. Adjust any finger that mutes its neighbour.
- Release pressure, then make the shape again. Aim for a relaxed hand.
- Strum four beats, rest for four, then repeat. Rest if your hand becomes tired; stop if you feel pain.
More fingering ideas
Use fingers 1 and 2 instead of 2 and 3 if that feels more comfortable.
Fret codes are written low E to high e. An x means leave that string silent.
Practise chord changes with a metronome →Em notes and chord formula
A minor triad lowers the third of a major triad by one fret. Listen to the difference between the major and minor sound on the same root.
- Formula
- 1 – b3 – 5
- Chord notes
- E – G – B
This shape contains every degree of the chord formula.
How to read chord diagrams · Build a comfortable barre · Connect chord shapes with CAGED
Need a term explained? Chord names and formulas → · Flat fifths and other intervals →