i-♭VI-♭VII-i (Andalusian Rock)
i · ♭VI · ♭VII · i
Aeolian rock pattern; metal anthem flavor.
Key of E Minor
The Key of E Minor
The chords in the key of E minor are Em, F♯dim, G, Am, Bm, C and D.
The guitar's natural minor key.
Below: all seven diatonic chords with guitar shapes and audio, the scale, the key signature (F♯), 5 progressions already transposed into this key, and the keys next door.
Diatonic chords
The 7 chords in the key of E minor
Each degree of the E minor scale carries one chord. Roman numerals show the degree; the function column tells you what the chord does. Every name links to its full chord page — press play to hear it on guitar.
| Degree | Function | Chord | Guitar shape | Hear it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| i | TonicTonicHome — rests | EmE · G · B | ||
| ii° | SubdominantSupertonicDeparts — sets up the V | F♯dimF♯ · A · C | ||
| III | TonicMediantHome — rests | GG · B · D | ||
| iv | SubdominantSubdominantDeparts — sets up the V | AmA · C · E | ||
| v | DominantDominantPulls back to I | BmB · D · F♯ | ||
| VI | TonicSubmediantHome — rests | CC · E · G | ||
| VII | DominantSubtonicPulls back to I | DD · F♯ · A |
Want the same chords on another instrument? Every chord page carries piano, ukulele, bass, mandolin and banjo shapes — start with piano.
Character
Why songs live in E minor
Em is two fingers, both E strings are the tonic, and the open B, G and D strings all belong to the scale — so riffs ring out without any effort from you. Rock, metal and folk all default here, and the low open E gives the key a weight that no other minor key on the instrument matches.
Scale
The E minor scale
Seven notes, in order from the tonic. Tap any note to hear it, or play the whole scale ascending.
Fretboard patterns and full scale reference: E Natural Minor (Aeolian).
Key signature
The E minor key signature
F♯
E minor is written with 1 sharp. Every F in the music is played sharp unless an accidental says otherwise. Its relative major, G major, shares this signature exactly.
Progressions
Chord progressions in E minor
The most-used progressions, already transposed into E minor. Every chord links to its own page; the progression name opens the full breakdown.
ii°-V-i (Minor ii-V-i)
iiø · V · i
The minor-key version of ii-V-I.
i-♭VII-♭VI-V (Andalusian)
i · ♭VII · ♭VI · V
Flamenco / Phrygian descent; minor with major V.
i-iv-V (Minor Three Chord)
i · iv · V
Minor three-chord with major V.
i-♭VI-♭VII (Aeolian Loop)
i · ♭VI · ♭VII
Aeolian rock loop.
FAQ
Questions about the key of E minor
- What chords are in the key of E minor?
- The key of E minor contains seven diatonic chords: Em (i), F#dim (ii°), G (III), Am (iv), Bm (v), C (VI), D (VII). Most songs in E minor lean on Em, Am and Bm — the tonic, subdominant and dominant.
- What is the relative major of E minor?
- G major is the relative major of E minor. Both keys share the same key signature (1 sharp) and exactly the same seven notes — G major simply treats G as home instead of E, which is why you can borrow chords freely between them.
- What are the easiest chords in E minor to play on guitar?
- Em, G, Am and C are the open shapes in E minor — no barre required. The rest of the diatonic chords need a barre or a movable grip, so many players capo instead and use familiar open shapes from an easier key.
Learn the theory
Read up on E minor
This page is the reference. These are the guides that explain how a key works in the first place — read one and the table above stops needing to be looked up.