E Minor
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The E minor chord is a triad formed from a root (E), a minor third (G) and a perfect fifth (B).
How to play E minor on the piano
For beginners, playing the E minor chord may be easy, as it features no black keys. To play the chord, start by finding its root: E. Look for the black keys in groups of two on the keyboard. The white key directly to the right of these black keys is E.
To play E minor, you'll use the following notes: E, G and B. You can play the chord in its root position by using the following fingers on your right hand:
B - Fifth finger (5)
G - Third finger (3)
E - First finger (1)
Read: Learn more about major and minor chords here.
With your left hand, you would use the following fingers to play the chord:
B - First finger (1)
G - Third finger (3)
E - Fifth finger (5)
In some instances, playing the chord might be easier with different fingers. To hear and see how the chord is built, watch our video of the E minor chord above.
What are the inversions of E minor?
Rearrange the order of the notes in E minor and you'll find the inversions of the chord. Read below to learn how to form the first and second inversions.
How to play the first inversion of E minor
By placing G as the lowest note in the chord, you can play the first inversion of E minor. Use the following fingers to play the chord with your right hand:
E - Fifth finger (5)
B - Second finger (2)
G - First finger (1)
Read: Here's everything you need to know about chord inversions.
How to play the second inversion of E minor
When you place B as the lowest note, you make the second inversion of E minor. To play the chord with your right hand, use the following fingers:
G - Fifth finger (5)
E - Third finger (3)
B - First finger (1)
