Chords in E minor
Em · F♯dim · G · Am · Bm · C · D
i ii° III iv v VI VII · key signature F♯ · scale E F♯ G A B C D
Em — minor chord on degree 1 · inversions and fingering
Chord table for E minor
| Degree | Triad | Notes | 7th chord | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| i | Em | E – G – B | Em7 | tonic |
| ii° | F♯dim | F♯ – A – C | F♯m7♭5 | predominant |
| III | G | G – B – D | Gmaj7 | tonic (relative major) |
| iv | Am | A – C – E | Am7 | predominant |
| v | Bm | B – D – F♯ | Bm7 | dominant |
| VI | C | C – E – G | Cmaj7 | predominant |
| VII | D | D – F♯ – A | D7 | subtonic |
In practice, minor-key music usually borrows from harmonic minor: raising the 7th note turns Bm into B (V), which pulls far more strongly back to Em, and gives a diminished D♯dim (vii°).
Common progressions in E minor
- Em – D – C – B i–♭VII–♭VI–V · Andalusian
- Em – C – G – D i–♭VI–♭III–♭VII · Epic minor
- F♯dim – B – Em – Em ii°–V–i–i · Minor ii–V–i
Related keys
Relative major: G major (same notes). Parallel major: E major (same tonic). See the E minor scale on piano or its place on the circle of fifths.
Other minor keys
Chords in E minor: questions
What chords are in the key of E minor?
The seven diatonic chords of E minor are Em (i), F♯dim (ii°), G (III), Am (iv), Bm (v), C (VI), D (VII).
What are the 7th chords in E minor?
Em7 (i7), F♯m7♭5 (iiø7), Gmaj7 (IIImaj7), Am7 (iv7), Bm7 (v7), Cmaj7 (VImaj7), D7 (VII7).
What are the three main chords in E minor?
The primary chords are Em (i), Am (iv) and B (V, from harmonic minor) or Bm (v). Together they contain every note of the scale.
How many sharps or flats does E minor have?
1 sharp: F♯.
What is the relative major of E minor?
G major, which uses the same notes and key signature.