Em/B chord on guitar

E Minor Over B. Notes: E, G and B.

Em/B guitar chord diagram, open position×1B52ERBEGBE
Open position · Easy

How to play Em/B

  1. Put your index finger on the 5th (A) string at fret 2 (B).
  2. Put your middle finger on the 4th (D) string at fret 2 (E).
  3. Let the open G, B and high E strings ring.
  4. Don't play the low E string: skip it or mute it with a fretting finger.
  5. Strum from the A string down.
Lowest note: B (the root)Strings played: 5 of 6Other voicings: 3 below

All 4 ways to play Em/B

Easiest first. Tap play to hear each one.
Em/B guitar chord, open position×1B52ERBEGBE

Open position

Easy
Em/B guitar chord, open position×1B52ER3Gb3BEGBG

Open position

Easy
Em/B guitar chord, open position×1B52ER4B53Gb3BEBBG

Open position

Easy
Em/B guitar chord, barre at fret 22fr×1B51ER3B54ER2Gb3BEBEG

Barre at fret 2

Hard

Notes and theory

Eroot
Gb3 · minor third
B5 · perfect fifth

The minor triad swaps the major third for a minor third, which gives it a darker, sadder color. The formula is 1 b3 5, and you will also see it written as Emin and E-.

Keys that use Em/B

More E chords

All E guitar chords

Em/B with another bass note

minor chords in every key

Questions

What notes are in the Em/B chord?

Em/B (E minor over B) is made of three notes: E (root), G (minor third) and B (perfect fifth). The slash means B is played as the lowest note.

How do you play Em/B on guitar?

The easiest Em/B is the "open position" shape. Put your index finger on the 5th (A) string at fret 2 (B). Put your middle finger on the 4th (D) string at fret 2 (E). Let the open G, B and high E strings ring.

Is Em/B hard to play on guitar?

No. The easiest version is rated easy and uses 2 fretted notes plus open strings.

What is the difference between Em/B and E?

Only the third changes. E major uses a major third and sounds bright; E minor lowers that note by a half step, which makes it sound darker. The root and the fifth stay the same.

What key is Em/B in?

Em/B belongs to 6 keys: C major (as the iii chord), D major (as the ii chord), G major (as the vi chord), E minor (as the i chord), A minor (as the v chord) and B minor (as the iv chord).

What does a minor chord sound like?

The minor triad swaps the major third for a minor third, which gives it a darker, sadder color.