A Guide to the E Minor Chord in Piano
There is no question that E minor is a distinctive chord you would be wise to master as you advance your piano skills.
Its emotional, melancholic sound has been used in many popular songs throughout the centuries, from classical music to modern-day rock and pop tracks.
For example, those with trained ears will instantly hear E minor throughout Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven”, while Adele uses the chord to add more emotional depth to “Someone Like You”.
To help you play the piano a pro, we have taken the time to create a handy guide to playing the chord e minor on piano.
Browse our beginner notes sheet music to learn how to play.
Key Takeaways:
- The E minor chord combines three notes: E, G, and B.
- You’ll need to master finger placement on the right hand before moving to your left
- You can alter the chord’s sound by playing E minor inversions
- Don’t rush the process and commit to a regular schedule
- Use a metronome to maintain a steady rhythm
- Relax your hands to press gently on the keys and maintain the signature sound
- Listen to songs predominantly using the E minor chord
How to Play the Chord E Minor on Piano
It might be music to your ears to learn that the E minor chord is simple for beginners to learn. It is different from other chords, as it doesn’t have any flats (b) or sharps (#).
To master the chord, you must focus on three specific notes on the piano.
Get started by finding its root note E. If you don’t know where it is, scroll your piano or keyboard for black keys in groups of two, and E is the white key to the right of the black keys.
Next is G, which is four keys from C, and B, which is seven keys away from E. Using a combination of E – G – B will create the E minor chord’s unmistakable sound.
The Correct Finger Positions
Now you know what notes you need to play to create the chord E minor on piano, you will now need to identify the correct finger positions.
E is the root note, meaning it is the lowest note, and you must play the chord using the following finger placement with your right hand:
- E – 1st finger (1)
- G – 3rd finger (3)
- B – 5th finger (5)
After mastering the above notes and finger positioning on your right hand, you can practice the E minor chord on your left hand.
However, you must change finger placements when playing the chord using your left hand:
- E – 5th finger (5)
- G – 3rd finger (3)
- B – 1st finger (1)
Remember, the E minor chord sound is soothing and mellow, meaning you should relax your fingers and gently press each key.
Many beginners struggle to play E minor with their left hand, as it may have less strength and dexterity than the right hand. However, regular practice will help you learn how to play comfortably with this hand.
Some people may prefer to use different fingers when playing the E minor chord, and that is fine.
How to Play E Minor Inversions
After you have mastered the E minor chord using your right and left hands separately, and then playing together, you can move on to E minor inversions.
If you are unfamiliar with inversions, it is when you rearrange the E minor notes to alter a chord’s sound.
The First Inversion
You can play the first E minor inversion by positioning G as the lowest note in the chord.
For instance, you will play the following notes using your right hand:
- G – 1st finger (1)
- B – 2nd finger (2)
- E – 5th finger (5)
The Second Inversion
To play the second inversion, use B as the lowest note. Play the following notes with your right hand:
- B – 1st finger (1)
- E – 3rd finger (3)
- G – 5th finger (5)
Start Slowly
It doesn’t matter if you are learning to play the violin, guitar, or piano; beginners are wise to start learning chords at a slow pace. Once you feel confident playing a chord on one or both hands, you can gradually boost the tempo on a piano or keyboard.
Some budding musicians often find a metronome beneficial, as it can help them maintain a steady, accurate rhythm during practice.
Commit to Regular Practice
Playing the piano requires time, effort, and consistency. If you are serious about mastering the chord e minor on piano, you must commit to regular practice.
Don’t be tempted to skip a practice session, and set time aside to tickle the ivories, even if you can only do so for a few minutes each day.
All those small minutes will add up, and daily repetition will improve your understanding of music and support muscle memory.
Banish Tension from Your Body
As stated earlier, E minor chords require a gentle touch on the keys to create its soothing or haunting sound.
If you have built up tension in your shoulders or hands, you might press harder on the keys or struggle with limited movement.
Play the piano gently by shaking out your body before sitting down, and keep your back straight and your shoulders relaxed.
It will allow you to play the music with confidence, and you will reduce your risk of strain or injury, too.
Listen to Songs with the E Minor Chord
Familiarize yourself with the E minor chord by listening to songs that predominately use it.
In addition to the examples provided earlier, you could listen out for its distinctive sound in Linkin Park’s “Breakin’ the Habit”, Nirvana’s “Come As You Are”, or Jimi Hendrix’s “Purple Haze”.
If you learn to identify the E minor chord in music, you will instantly know the songs that use it, and it will help you play the piano by ear.
If you follow the above advice, you could soon be playing many popular songs using E minor and creating your own pieces on the piano.