E natural minor
One sharp, F♯. Seven notes: E F♯ G A B C D. Every open string is in the key. Try the key’s seven chords in different places on the neck. Press a shape to hear it and see its notes.
Across one chord in different positions. Down the chords in one position. | ||||
| iMainEmE · G · B | ||||
| ii°F♯°F♯ · A · C | ||||
| IIIMainGG · B · D | ||||
| ivAmA · C · E | ||||
| vBmB · D · F♯ | ||||
| VIMainCC · E · G | ||||
| VIIMainDD · F♯ · A |
Sounds good
Four patterns to try
Anchor chords. Keep fingers 3 and 4 on fret 3 of the two highest strings while the other fingers change chords. Let those two notes ring through.
- G
- Cadd9
- Dsus4
- Em7
Walk up to Am. Strum Em, pick F♯ and G on the way up, land on Am. Listen to how the bass connects the chords.
Triads on the top three strings. Three notes, three places, all Em. Try them when a full six-string chord feels too busy.
- LowFret 0
- MiddleFrets 3–5
- HighFrets 7–9
Same chords, higher. The four main chords in the open position, then again in frets 4 to 8. Listen to how the higher voicings change the sound.
Exercises in E minor
Five drills, with a click
Play along with the metronome. The neck above highlights each step.
- Four chords in one positionEm – G – C – D without leaving frets 2 to 5.70 bpmLevel 1
- Climb with one chordEm in all four places, low to high. Hear it brighten.60 bpmLevel 1
- Ringing anchor chordsG – Cadd9 – Dsus4 – Em7. Two fingers never move.80 bpmLevel 1
- Walk up to AmStrum Em, then walk the bass F♯ – G into Am.90 bpmLevel 2
- Scale, then chordsPlay the scale in frets 4 to 8, then the four chords there.70 bpmLevel 2
Why one sharp
A minor with F raised
- E
- F♯
- G
- A
- B
- C
- D
- E
- F
- G
- A
- B
- C
- D
E minor is A minor with F raised to F♯.
Harmonic minor
Harmonic minor change
Raising the seventh to D♯ changes Bm to B major on the fifth degree.