How to Fret Em on the Guitar

The E minor chord is a popular guitar chord.

The E minor chord is one of the most commonly used guitar chords, and is an important chord for any beginner to learn how to fret. As with any guitar chord, an E minor can be fretted in several places along the guitar neck. Two specific fingerings are extremely popular in a wide range of musical styles: the open E minor chord and the seventh fret bar E minor chord.

Instructions

Open E Minor

1. Press directly behind the second fret on the A string (the second thickest string) with your middle finger. Bridge the finger to ensure it doesn't touch any other strings.

2. Press behind the second fret on the D string (the third thickest string) with your ring finger. Again, bridge your finger so it only touches the D string.

3. Strike all six strings with a pick. If any open or fretted notes are muffled, adjust your fretting technique. Once all six strings are ringing clearly, you have properly fretted the open E minor chord.

Seventh Fret Bar E Minor

1. Bar all six strings at the seventh fret with your index finger. Adjust your fingering until you can play this bar cleanly.

2. Press down immediately behind the ninth fret on the D string (while maintaining the bar) with your ring finger.

3. Press down behind the ninth fret on the G string (the thinner neighbor of the D string) with your pinky.

4. Press down on the eighth fret of the B string (the second thinnest string) with your middle finger. Check that each of your middle, ring and pinky fingers are properly bridged and not touching any other strings.

5. Strike the top five strings with a pick. Adjust your finger positioning until each note of the chord rings clearly and cleanly.

Tips & Warnings

• Anchor your thumb to the back of the guitar neck to make playing these chords easier.

References

• "Guitar for Dummies"; Mark Phillips, et al.; 1998
• Jam Play: Em Guitar Chord -- Standard Tuning