An Em7 chord is a major 7th chord with the root note E. On piano, it can be played by pressing down the notes E-G-B-D simultaneously. To make an Em7 chord, place your thumb (1) on the low E key of the keyboard and then place your middle finger (3) on G, ring finger (4) on B, and pinky finger (5) on D. You will also see this written as “E Major 7” or just “Emaj7”. Depending on your playing song, you may need to play different inversions of this chord to sound right.
The most commonly used version is Root Position – where all four notes are played at once – but there are other versions such as 1st Inversion and 2nd Inversion that can be used for variation.
The Em7 chord on Piano is a popular and versatile chord that can be used in many genres of music. It consists of the notes E, G, B, and D, which create a sound with an ambiguous minor/major quality that adds a unique flavor to any song. This chord can be used as the basis for melodies or accompaniment patterns and it works well when combined with other chords in progressions.
E minor 7 on Piano – Em7
What is Em7 Chord?
An Em7 chord is a major seventh chord made up of the notes E-G-B-D. This type of chord has a bright, jazzy sound and is often used in jazz music as well as other genres. It can be used to add flavor to a song or even help create tension by introducing an unexpected change in harmony.
The Em7 can also be substituted for other chords like Cmaj7 or Am7 depending on what kind of sound you’re looking for in your composition.
Understanding the Em7 Chord
Components of the Em7 Chord
As previously mentioned, the Em7 chord consists of four notes: the root note (E), the minor third (G), the perfect fifth (B), and the minor seventh (D). These notes can be played in any order or octave, but they must all be present in order to create the Em7 chord.
Interval Structure of the Em7 Chord
The interval structure of the Em7 chord can be broken down as follows:
Root note (E)
Minor third (G)
Perfect fifth (B)
Minor seventh (D)
The distance between the root note and the minor third is a distance of three half-steps (or semitones). The distance between the minor third and the perfect fifth is a distance of four half-steps. The distance between the perfect fifth and the minor seventh is a distance of three and a half steps.
How to Build an Em7 Chord
To build an Em7 chord, you must start with the root note (E) and add the other notes in the correct intervals. Here’s how you can build an Em7 chord:
- Start with the root note (E).
- Add the minor third (G), which is three half-steps (or semitones) above the root note.
- Add the perfect fifth (B), which is four half-steps above the root note.
- Add the minor seventh (D), which is three and a half half steps above the root note.
Diagram of the Em7 Chord
Here is a keyboard diagram of the Em7 chord in its root position:
E|—0—|
B|—3—|
G|—0—|
D|—2—|
A|—2—|
E|—0—|
As you can see, the Em7 chord is played by pressing down the E, G, B, and D keys simultaneously.
Playing Em7 Chord on Piano
Root Position of Em7 Chord
The root position of the Em7 chord is when the root note (E) is played as the lowest note in the chord. To play the Em7 chord in its root position on the piano, follow these steps:
- Find the E key on your piano.
- Place your index finger on the E key.
- Place your middle finger on the G key, which is three half-steps (or semitones) above the E key.
- Place your ring finger on the B key, which is four half-steps above the E key.
- Place your little finger on the D key, which is three and a half steps above the E key.
- Press down all four keys simultaneously to play the Em7 chord.
- Inversions of Em7 Ch
There are three inversions of the Em7 chord: first inversion, second inversion, and third inversion. Inversions are simply a rearrangement of the notes in the chord so that a different note becomes the lowest note in the chord.
First Inversion of Em7 Chord
To play the Em7 chord in its first inversion, you need to take the third note of the chord (the note that is four half-steps above the root note) and move it up an octave. This means that the G note becomes the highest note in the chord, and the E note becomes the lowest note. Here’s how to play the Em7 chord in its first inversion:
Find the E key on your piano.
- Place your middle finger on the E key.
- Place your index finger on the G key, which is three half-steps (or semitones) above the E key.
- Place your ring finger on the B key, which is four half-steps above the E key.
- Place your little finger on the D key, which is three and a half steps above the E key.
- Press down all four keys simultaneously to play the Em7 chord in its first inversion
The keyboard diagram for the first inversion of the Em7 chord is as follows:
E|—0—|
B|—3—|
G|—0—|
D|—2—|
A|——-|
E|——-|
Second Inversion of Em7 Chord
To play the Em7 chord in its second inversion, you need to take the fifth note of the chord (the note that is seven half-steps above the root note) and move it up an octave. This means that the B note becomes the highest note in the chord, and the E note becomes the lowest note. Here’s how to play the Em7 chord in its second inversion:
Find the E key on your piano.
- Place your little finger on the E key.
- Place your index finger on the G key, which is three half-steps (or semitones) above the E key.
- Place your middle finger on the D key, which is ten half-steps (or semitones) above the E key.
- Place your ring finger on the B key, which is four half-steps above the E key.
- Press down all four keys simultaneously to play the Em7 chord in its second inversion.
The keyboard diagram for the second inversion of the Em7 chord is as follows:
E|—0—|
B|—3—|
G|——-|
D|—2—|
A|—2—|
E|——-|
Third Inversion of Em7 Chord
To play the Em7 chord in its third inversion, you need to take the seventh note of the chord (the note that is ten half-steps above the root note) and move it up an octave. This means that the D note becomes the highest note in the chord, and the E note becomes the lowest note. Here’s how to play the Em7 chord in its third inversion:
Find the E key on your piano.
- Place your little finger on the E key.
- Place your index finger on the B key, which is four half-steps above the E key.
- Place your middle finger on the G key, which is seven half-steps above the E key.
- Place your ring finger on the D key, which is ten half-steps (or semitones) above the E key.
- Press down all four keys simultaneously to play the Em7 chord in its third inversion.
The keyboard diagram for the third inversion of the Em7 chord is as follows:
E|—0—|
B|——-|
G|—0—|
D|—2—|
A|—2—|
E|—3—|
Em7 Chord Progressions
The Em7 chord is a versatile chord that can be used in a variety of chord progressions. One common progression that uses the Em7 chord is the ii-V-I progression. In this progression, the Em7 chord is the ii chord, the A7 chord is the V chord, and the Dmaj7 chord is the I chord. The ii-V-I progression is commonly used in jazz music, but can also be found in other genres as well.
Another common progression that uses the Em7 chord is the vi-IV-V progression. In this progression, the Em7 chord is the vi chord, the Cmaj7 chord is the IV chord, and the D7 chord is the V chord. This progression is commonly used in pop and rock music.
Video Tutorial on Playing Em7 on Piano
If you’re still struggling to play the Em7 chord on the piano, there are plenty of video tutorials available online that can help. Here’s an example of a tutorial that breaks down the chord and demonstrates how to play it on the piano:
FAQ | Em7 Chord on Piano
What is the difference between Em7 and E7 chords?
The Em7 chord is an E minor chord with an added minor seventh (D). The E7 chord, on the other hand, is an E major chord with an added dominant seventh (D#). The difference in the seventh note creates a different tonality and mood for the chord. Em7 has a softer and more melancholic sound, while E7 has a stronger and more resolved sound.
Can Em7 be used in any music genre?
Yes, Em7 can be used in a wide variety of music genres, including pop, rock, jazz, blues, and classical music. It is a versatile chord that can add a sense of emotion, tension, or resolution to a piece of music.
What are the finger positions to play Em7 on the piano?
The finger positions for the Em7 chord in root position are as follows: index finger on E, middle finger on G, ring finger on B, and little finger on D. In the first inversion, the finger positions are as follows: index finger on G, middle finger on B, ring finger on D, and little finger on E. In the second inversion, the finger positions are as follows: index finger on B, middle finger on D, ring finger on E, and little finger on G.
Are there any other alternative ways to play Em7?
Yes, there are many alternative fingerings for the Em7 chord on piano. Some of these fingerings may be easier or more comfortable for certain players, or may be better suited for certain chord progressions. Examples include Em7/B and Em7/G.
How can I make my transitions between Em7 and other chords smoother?
One way to make transitions between Em7 and other chords smoother is to practice switching between the chords slowly and gradually increasing the tempo. It can also be helpful to focus on the common notes between chords and use them as a pivot point. Additionally, using proper finger placement and hand positioning can make it easier to move between chords smoothly.
Conclusion
The Em7 chord is a versatile and useful chord that can be used in a variety of genres and progressions. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced piano player, learning how to play the Em7 chord is an important step in developing your piano-playing skills. By understanding the components of the chord and practicing its various inversions and progressions, you’ll be able to incorporate the Em7 chord into your playing with ease.
