Minor · beginner

E minor(Em)

E minor is the easiest full chord on the guitar: two fingers, six ringing strings. It's the ideal place to build clean fretting habits before harder shapes.

Notes

EGB

Intervals

Rb35

Finger placement

  1. 1Middle finger (2): 2nd fret of the A string.
  2. 2Ring finger (3): 2nd fret of the D string.
Practice this chord →
Open position
23EBEGBE

Usually the first chord anyone learns — two fingers, all strings ring.

Common mistakes

  • Pressing far behind the fret and buzzing.
  • Fretting with the flat pad instead of the fingertip.

Coaching tips

  • Strum all six strings with confidence — nothing is muted.
  • Use fingers 2 and 3 (not 1 and 2) so the shape converts directly to E major and the F/B barre family.

Troubleshooting

Strings buzz even when pressing hard

Pressure isn't the issue — move your fingers closer to the 2nd fret wire and press with the very tips.

Common transitions

The changes players practice most with E minor. Each opens a timed drill.

G → Em

Em needs only two fingers — resist overthinking the easy chord.

Start drill →with G majorEm → Am

The shape travels as a block. Only the index finger is new.

Start drill →with A minor

Progressions that use Em

G – Em – C – D (I–vi–IV–V in G)

G · Em · C · D

Em – C – G – D (vi–IV–I–V in G)

Em · C · G · D

Related guides

How to keep strumming during chord changes

Why your strumming hand stops when chords change, and the muted-strum method that trains rhythm continuity.

How to use a metronome as a beginner

A no-overwhelm introduction to metronome practice: what tempo to set, what to play, and the three-stage listening skill nobody teaches.

First chords to learn on guitar (and the order that actually works)

The best beginner chord sequence: Em and Am first, then C, G, D — plus why F and barre chords should wait, and how to practice each stage.

How to strum a guitar for beginners

Pick hold, wrist motion, down-up eighths, and the first patterns that sound like music — without freezing every time chords change.

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the E minor chord?

E minor contains E, G, B — the intervals R, b3, 5 from the root E.

Is E minor a beginner chord?

E minor is rated beginner. E minor is the easiest full chord on the guitar: two fingers, six ringing strings. It's the ideal place to build clean fretting habits before harder shapes.

E minor: strings buzz even when pressing hard — what should I do?

Pressure isn't the issue — move your fingers closer to the 2nd fret wire and press with the very tips.