Em(maj7) Chord

The Em(maj7) chord is a minor major seventh chord built on the root note E. Its notes are E, G, B and D♯.

Minor major seventh chords are unsettling in a beautiful way. A major seventh over a minor triad creates a sharp, unresolved edge best known from spy themes, Hitchcock scores and the darker corners of jazz.

Root

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Em(maj7) on piano

Inversion:

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To play Em(maj7) on piano, place your right-hand thumb on E, then index, middle and little finger on G, B and D♯. Press all keys at the same time and listen for a clear, balanced sound. Practice switching to and from this chord slowly, then with a metronome at a comfortable tempo.

Em(maj7) on guitar

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Beginner

Open

On guitar, Em(maj7) is commonly played with the voicing shown above. If the chord contains barred notes, keep your index finger flat across the fretboard and curve the other fingers so they don't mute the open strings. Strum only the strings marked as active in the diagram for the cleanest tone.

Play the chord

Em(maj7)

E · G · B · D♯

Em(maj7) chord notes

Formula: 1 · ♭3 · 5 · 7Notes: E · G · B · D♯

Degree	Interval	Semitones	Note
1	Root	0	E
♭3	Minor third	3	G
5	Perfect fifth	7	B
7	Major seventh	11	D♯(D#)

How to use the Em(maj7) chord

The Em(maj7) chord is built from a root, a minor third, a perfect fifth and a major seventh. Starting from the root E, stack the intervals to get the complete chord: E, G, B and D♯. Learning the formula is the fastest way to transpose the chord to any other key.

Minor major seventh chords appear in line cliches, where the top voice of a minor chord walks down from the root through the major seventh. James Bond themes, bossa nova and minor-key jazz ballads are where you meet them.

Common progressions

The Em(maj7) chord works beautifully in these progressions. Click a chord name to jump to its page.

Pop progression

I → V → vi → IV

E B C♯m A

Once you are comfortable with Em(maj7), explore neighbouring chords to unlock new progressions. The chords below share notes, keys or functions with Em(maj7) and are a natural next step in your practice.

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the Em(maj7) chord?

The Em(maj7) chord contains E, G, B and D♯ (E, G, B and D# in plain text).

Is the Em(maj7) chord major or minor?

Em(maj7) is a minor major seventh chord. Minor major seventh chords are unsettling in a beautiful way. A major seventh over a minor triad creates a sharp, unresolved edge best known from spy themes, Hitchcock scores and the darker corners of jazz.

How do you play Em(maj7) on piano?

Place your fingers on E, G, B and D♯ and play the notes together. On piano, the root is usually played with the little finger of the left hand and the upper notes with the right hand.

How do you play Em(maj7) on guitar?

Em(maj7) is typically played using the fingering shown in the interactive diagram above. You can also try an open position if one of the chord tones lines up with an open string.

What chords work well with Em(maj7)?

Em(maj7) pairs naturally with the chords listed in the related chords section. Chords a perfect fifth up or down, relative major or minor chords, and chords sharing two notes are all strong choices.

Keep exploring

Deepen your understanding of the Em(maj7) chord with our other music theory tools.

Browse all chords Explore scales Explore progressions Chord Transposer Chord Finder Try the Piano Open Circle of Fifths