E Minor: Scale, Chords and Progressions

Chords in the key of E minor

The key of E minor has one sharp in the key signature (F♯). Its scale is E – F♯ – G – A – B – C – D and its seven chords are Em, F♯dim, G, Am, Bm, C and D. The most common progression is Em – C – G – D. Its relative key is G major. With a capo on fret 2, you can play it with the shapes of D minor.

The chords in the key

Em is home and Am darkens it. The natural fifth chord, Bm, resolves softly; swap it for B7 and it pulls hard towards Em. The four-note versions add the seventh.

Degree	Chord	Notes	Role	With seventh
i	Em	E – G – B	Tonic: home	Em7
ii°	F♯dim	F♯ – A – C	Subdominant	—
III	G	G – B – D	Relative major	Gmaj7
iv	Am	A – C – E	Subdominant	Am7
v	Bm	B – D – F♯	Minor dominant	Bm7
VI	C	C – E – G	Subdominant (epic colour)	Cmaj7
VII	D	D – F♯ – A	Subtonic	D7

Scale

E – F♯ – G – A – B – C – D

With a capo

To make a song sound in E minor with easy open shapes:

Capo on fret 2: play the shapes of D minor
Capo on fret 7: play the shapes of A minor

Common progressions

Loop them in the chord player and use them as the base of a song.

Em – C – G – D i – bVI – bIII – bVII Play in the chord player
Em – Am – Bm – Em i – iv – v – i Play in the chord player
Em – D – C – B i – bVII – bVI – V Play in the chord player
Em – Am – B7 – Em i – iv – V7 – i Play in the chord player

Frequently asked questions

What chords are in the key of E minor?

Its seven chords are Em, F♯dim, G, Am, Bm, C and D.

How many sharps or flats does E minor have?

It has one sharp in the key signature (F♯).

What is the relative key of E minor?

Its relative key is G major: they share the same notes and chords.