Beginner chord

Em guitar chord for beginners

Keep the two fingers curved and let every string ring.

2 fingersEasiestDay 2

Open interactive chord library All beginner chords

Quick answer

Em is a easiest beginner guitar chord. Practice it by building the shape slowly, checking every string, and then using it in an easy song.

Fingers: 2 fingers
Course order: Day 2
Tip: Keep the two fingers curved and let every string ring.

Why Em buzzes, and how to fix it

Almost every buzz on Em comes from one of three things: a fingertip landing flat instead of on its tip, a finger sitting too far back from the fret wire, or a neighbouring string being brushed by the underside of a finger. Play each string on its own, find the dead one, and fix only that finger. Do not re-grip the whole chord.

The drill that actually works

Getting into Em is only half of it — the real skill is leaving and returning. Build the shape, strum once, then lift your whole hand a few centimetres off the neck and rebuild it from nothing. Ten rebuilds teaches your hand more than sixty seconds of holding the chord still, because the muscle memory you need is the arrival, not the hold.

What to practice it with

Em is a minor chord, so it sounds darker than a major shape. Practice moving between Em and a bright major chord you already know — the contrast trains your ear as well as your hand, and most beginner songs swing between exactly that kind of pair.

What Em looks like

A left hand holding a Em chord on a guitar neck, seen from the player's viewpoint with the nut visible for reference — Em from the player's viewpoint. The diagram below tells you which finger goes where.

Em chord diagram

e|---0---
B|---0---
G|---0---
D|---2---
A|---2---
E|---0---

x means do not play that string. 0 means play the open string.

How to practice Em

Build the shape slowly

Place one finger at a time, then strum once and listen for muted strings.

Release and return

Take the hand off, shake out tension, then rebuild the chord without squeezing harder.

Use it in music

Move from the chord into one simple song loop so the shape has a purpose.

Easy songs with Em

Wagon WheelG, D, Em, C Stand By MeG, Em, C, D ZombieEm, C, G, D Take Me Home, Country RoadsG, Em, D, C I'm YoursG, D, Em, C PerfectG, Em, C, D A Horse With No NameEm, D Boulevard of Broken DreamsEm, G, D, A Good RiddanceG, C, D, Em

Fix and practise this chord

Fix a buzz or muted string

Open the troubleshooter with Em already selected.

Practise the next chord change

Use a 60-second clean-change drill and save your best score.

Common questions

Is Em a beginner guitar chord?

Em is easiest for most beginners. Practice it slowly and use songs that give your hand time to change.

What songs use Em?

Wagon Wheel, Stand By Me, Zombie, Take Me Home, Country Roads and more beginner songs use Em.