Em Ukulele Chord
Trying to get the Em chord under your fingers? It is a three-finger shape, a little fiddly at first but it settles fast. Your fingers go on the C, E and A strings. The steps below show exactly where each one sits.
A three-finger shape. Here is how to play Em, step by step.
- Notes: E, G and B
- Frets: 0 4 3 2
- Tuning: g C E A
Em ukulele chord details
- Type
- Minor triad
- Also known as
- E minor
- Formula
- 1 b3 5
- Intervals
- E (root), G (minor 3rd), B (perfect 5th)
- Notes
- E, G and B
- Frets
- 0 4 3 2
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Tuning
- Standard (g C E A)
How to play the Em chord
Here is the Em chord step by step:
- Put your ring finger on the 4th fret of the C string.
- Put your middle finger on the 3rd fret of the E string.
- Put your index finger on the 2nd fret of the A string.
- Leave the g string open.
- Strum all four strings.
Take it slowly the first few times and it will start to feel natural. New to these grids? Have a look at how to read a ukulele chord diagram.
What notes are in the Em chord?
The Em chord is built from three notes: E, G and B (the root, minor 3rd and perfect 5th). On the ukulele the G is doubled, so you get a nice full sound. That flattened third is what gives a minor chord its softer, more wistful feel next to a bright major. Curious which chords sit together in a song? See which chords share a key.
Ukulele songs that use the Em chord
- Twenty One PilotsCan’t Help Falling In Love
- Israel Kamakawiwo'oleSomewhere Over The Rainbow / What A Wonderful World
- Leonard CohenHallelujah
- Cristin MiliotiLa Vie En Rose
- Frank SinatraFly Me To The Moon
- Bruno MarsCount On Me
- Twenty One PilotsThe Judge
- Israel Kamakawiwo'oleSomewhere Over The Rainbow
- Billie Eilishidontwannabeyouanymore
- PassengerLet Her Go
Want to go further?
Once Em feels comfortable, its close relatives are worth exploring: try E7, Emaj7, E and Esus4. Em pairs most often with A, B and Dbm, so the few basic chords next to it go a long way. When that feels good, work on switching between chords faster. When you are ready, try some easy ukulele songs.