Piano chord · Sevenths
E minor 7th chord on piano
Right hand: E (1), G (2), B (3), D (5)
How to play Em7 on piano: the keys to press, which fingers to use, inversions and how it’s written on the staff.
Smooth and soulful; a staple of jazz, R&B and funk.
Em7 is the ii7 chord in D major, iii7 in C major and vi7 in G major. In minor keys: i7 in E minor and iv7 in B minor.
- Notes
- EGBD
- Formula
- 1♭35♭7
- Built from
- root · minor 3rd · perfect 5th · minor 7th
Piano
Root position · numbers are finger numbers
How to play it
Right handE1 · thumbG2 · indexB3 · middleD5 · pinky
Left handE5 · pinkythe root, an octave lower
Finger numbers: 1 thumb · 2 index · 3 middle · 4 ring · 5 pinky. Inversions use the same notes with a different one on the bottom — they help you move smoothly between chords. Tap any key to hear it.
Tips for playing Em7 on piano
E, G, B, D — all white keys.
You’ll find Em7 in common progressions such as Em7–A7–Dmaj7 (the jazz cadence in D major).
