Quick Answer & Harmonic Definition

To play the E Minor 7th chord on piano, press the keys E, G, B, D simultaneously. In root position, E is the lowest note. First inversion places G in the bass; second inversion uses B as the lowest note.

Piano Chord

Em7 Piano Chord

A minor triad with a minor seventh. Smooth, soulful sound central to jazz and soul music. Learn the E Minor 7th chord on piano with interactive keyboard, inversions, and audio playback.

Notes
E – G – B – D
Intervals
0 – 3 – 7 – 10
Type
seventh chord
E G B D
E
A
D
G
B
e
3
5
7
9
12
4 notes · Standard (E A D G B E)

Playing the Em7 Piano Chord

The Em7 chord is a minor 7th chord built on the root E. It contains 4 notes: E, G, B, D. On piano, this chord is played by pressing these keys simultaneously or as an arpeggio.

A minor triad with a minor seventh. Smooth, soulful sound central to jazz and soul music. Mastering the Em7 chord opens up countless songs and progressions in the key of E.

Piano Finger Positions for Em7

For the Em7 seventh chord, use these finger positions:

  • Right hand (root position): Thumb (1) on E, middle finger (3) on G, pinky (5) on B.
  • Left hand (root position): Pinky (5) on E, middle finger (3) on G, thumb (1) on B.
  • Arpeggiated: Play the notes sequentially from lowest to highest for a broken seventh effect.

Em7 Chord Inversions

Inversions change the bass note while keeping the same harmonic quality:

Inversion Bass Note Notes (bottom to top) Sound
Root E E – G – B – D Most stable
1st G G – B – D – E Lighter, less stable
2nd B B – D – E – G Open, airy

Interval Structure of Em7

Degree Interval Semitones Note in E
Root Root (R) 0 E
3rd Minor 3rd 3 G
5th Perfect 5th 7 B
7th Minor 7th 10 D

Common Progressions with Em7 on Piano

  • I–IV–V–I: Em7 – Am7 – Bm7 – Em7 (classic cadence)
  • I–V–vi–IV: Em7 – B – C#m – A (pop progression)
  • ii–V–I: F#m – B – Em7 (jazz turnaround)

Other E Piano Chords

E
Major
Em
Minor
E7
Dominant 7th
Emaj7
Major 7th
Edim
Diminished
Eaug
Augmented

Moll-Septakkord Chord in All 12 Keys

Cm7 C#m7 Dm7 D#m7 Em7 Fm7 F#m7 Gm7 G#m7 Am7 A#m7 Bm7
Virtual Piano
Interactive keyboard
Em7 Guitar
Guitar chord shapes
E Scale
Notes that fit this chord
Songs
Find songs using Em7

Knowledge Base & FAQs

Em7 Piano Chord — FAQ

Everything you need to know about our browser-based Web Audio engine, instruments, and music theory workspace.

How do I play the Em7 chord on piano?

To play the E Minor 7th chord on piano, press the keys E, G, B, D simultaneously.

In root position, E is the lowest note. First inversion places G in the bass; second inversion uses B as the lowest note.

What are the notes in the Em7 piano chord?

The E Minor 7th piano chord contains 4 notes: E, G, B, D.

These are derived from the minor 7th interval formula applied to the root note E.

What is the best fingering for Em7 on piano?

For the Em7 seventh in root position, use fingers 1 (thumb), 3, and 5 for a triad, or 1, 2, 3, and 5 for a seventh chord.

Inversions may use 1, 2, 4 (first inversion) or 1, 3, 5 (second inversion).

What does the Em7 chord sound like?

The Em7 chord has a a minor triad with a minor seventh.

smooth, soulful sound central to jazz and soul music. It provides rich harmonic tension and expressive color within songwriting and jazz arrangements.

What keys does the Em7 chord belong to?

Em7 appears frequently across modal, jazz, blues, and contemporary progressions as an essential tension or resolution voicing.

What are the inversions of Em7 on piano?

Em7 has 3 inversions.

Root position: E–G–B–D. First inversion: G–B–D–E. Second inversion: B–D–E–G.

What chords go well with Em7 on piano?

In the key of E major, Em7 pairs naturally with A major (IV chord), B major (V chord), and C#m (vi chord).

The I–IV–V–I progression is a classic way to practice these.

Is Em7 a good chord for beginners on piano?

Em7 has 4 notes, which may be challenging for beginners.

Start with the basic triad (root, third, fifth) before adding the full seventh extension.

How do I use Em7 in a chord progression?

Em7 functions as the tonic (I) in E major.

A classic progression is I–IV–V–I: Em7–A–B–Em7. Practice this in both hands separately before combining.

What is the difference between E major and E minor on piano?

The E major chord (E–G#–B) uses a major third (4 semitones from root) for a bright sound.

The Em chord uses a minor third (3 semitones) for a darker, more emotional sound.