Em/C# chord on guitar

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

Em/C# guitar chord diagram, open position×3C#bass1ERC#EGBE
Open position · Easy

How to play Em/C#

  1. Put your index finger on the 4th (D) string at fret 2 (E).
  2. Put your ring finger on the 5th (A) string at fret 4 (C#).
  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: C# (the root)Strings played: 5 of 6Other voicings: 3 below

All 4 ways to play Em/C#

Easiest first. Tap play to hear each one.
Em/C# guitar chord, open position×3C#bass1ERC#EGBE

Open position

Easy
Em/C# guitar chord, open position×3C#bass1ER2Gb3C#EGBG

Open position

Easy
Em/C# guitar chord, open position×3C#bass1ER4B52Gb3C#EBBG

Open position

Easy
Em/C# guitar chord, barre at fret 99fr1C#bass2Gb31B51ER4B54ERC#GBEBE

Barre at fret 9

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/C#

More E chords

All E guitar chords

Em/C# with another bass note

minor chords in every key

Questions

What notes are in the Em/C# chord?

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

How do you play Em/C# on guitar?

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

Is Em/C# 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/C# 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/C# in?

Em/C# 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.