Em Guitar Chord Lesson – Advanced Voicings

In the following post, you will learn how to play several advanced voicings of the Em Guitar Chord.  Follow this link for an easy beginner version of the E Minor Guitar Chord.

To form the Em Guitar Chord, we take the 1, b3 and 5 positions of the E Major Scale: E, F#, G#, A, B, C#, and D#, or the notes E, G and B.  That little “b3” symbol  means that we take the 3rd step of this scale and flatten it by 1/2 step, giving us our “G” note. When we flatten a note, we go back 1/2 step in this scale, so the “G#” becomes a “G”.  Pretty easy stuff right?

E Minor Chord notes: E G B

Here is a key that will help you read the chart:

Everything on the above chart should be self explanatory, except for the last three in the third column. They may need a bit of explaining. The O, or open symbol, simply means that you do not press down on any notes on that string. The X means you do not strum that particular string. The Barre symbol means you need to barre that particular fret. When you barre a fret you are pressing down on multiple strings at the same time with one finger.

There are 4 advanced voicings of this chord pictured below in the chord charts.  These chords are advanced because you need to know how to both mute strings and play barre chords.  These are techniques that only come with practice, so hang in there and keep at it…

Just like all other chords, make certain that you are pushing your fingers down firmly on the strings. Play each string one at a time to see if the strings are producing a clean sound.

E Minor Guitar Chord Video

Below is a video demonstration on how to play the E Minor Barre Chord on the 7th Fret.  Thanks to the folks over at http://www.mahalo.com/ for sharing this video.