The guitar is a versatile instrument with a vast chord vocabulary, and among these chords, the Em7 (E minor 7) chord holds a special place. Whether you’re a beginner taking your first steps in the world of guitar playing or an experienced musician looking to expand your musical horizons, understanding the Em7 chord is essential. This chord appears in countless songs across various genres, from gentle folk ballads to energetic pop anthems and soulful jazz pieces. Its unique sound and harmonic properties contribute to the rich tapestry of music created on the guitar. In this in-depth article, we will explore everything you need to know about the Em7 chord on the guitar, including its construction, how to play it, its musical applications, and how it interacts with other chords. By the end, you’ll have a comprehensive understanding of this important chord and be able to incorporate it effectively into your playing.
The Basics of Chords on the Guitar
Before delving into the specifics of the Em7 chord, it’s crucial to have a fundamental understanding of how chords are constructed on the guitar.
What is a Chord?
A chord is a combination of three or more musical notes played simultaneously. On the guitar, chords are formed by pressing down specific strings at certain frets with the fingers of the fretting hand while strumming or picking the strings with the other hand. Chords serve as the building blocks of harmony in music, providing the underlying structure and emotional foundation for melodies.
Chord Types and Their Characteristics
There are several types of chords, each with its own distinct sound and function. The most basic types include major chords, which produce a bright, happy sound, and minor chords, which have a more somber, melancholic tone. Beyond these, there are extended chords like 7th chords, 9th chords, and 11th chords, which add additional notes to the basic triad (a three – note chord) to create more complex and rich harmonic textures. The Em7 chord is an example of an extended chord, specifically a minor 7th chord.
Construction of the Em7 Chord
The Em7 chord is constructed by combining specific notes within the E minor scale. Understanding its construction helps in grasping its sound and how it relates to other chords.
Notes in the Em7 Chord
The Em7 chord is made up of four notes: E, G, B, and D. The root note of the chord is E, which gives the chord its name. The G is the minor third, which contributes to the minor quality of the chord, making it sound darker compared to a major chord. The B is the fifth, and the D is the minor seventh. The addition of the minor seventh note (D) to the basic E minor triad (E, G, B) gives the Em7 chord its characteristic warm and mellow sound, adding a touch of sophistication and complexity.
How the Em7 Chord Relates to the E Minor Scale
The notes of the Em7 chord are all derived from the E minor scale, which consists of the notes E, F#, G, A, B, C#, and D. The Em7 chord selects specific notes from this scale to create its unique harmonic structure. By understanding this relationship, guitarists can better visualize how the chord fits into a musical context and how it can be used in combination with other chords within the same key.
Ways to Play the Em7 Chord on the Guitar
There are multiple ways to play the Em7 chord on the guitar, each with its own advantages and suitable for different playing situations.
The Open Em7 Chord
Finger Placement: The open Em7 chord is one of the most common and beginner – friendly ways to play this chord. Place your first finger on the 2nd fret of the 5th (A) string, your second finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th (D) string, and your third finger on the 3rd fret of the 3rd (G) string. Leave the 6th (E) string, 2nd (B) string, and 1st (high E) string open.
Sound and Usage: This open voicing of the Em7 chord has a bright and airy sound due to the open strings. It is often used in folk, country, and pop music, especially in strumming patterns for rhythm playing. The open strings add a sense of resonance and fullness to the chord, making it suitable for creating a warm and inviting musical backdrop.
Barre Chord Version of Em7
Finger Placement: For the barre chord version of Em7, place your first finger across all six strings at the 7th fret, acting as a bar. Then, place your second finger on the 8th fret of the 5th (A) string, your third finger on the 9th fret of the 4th (D) string, and your fourth finger on the 9th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
Sound and Usage: The barre chord version of Em7 has a more focused and sustained sound compared to the open chord. It is useful when you need to play the chord in different positions on the fretboard, especially in situations where you want to create a more consistent sound across multiple chords in a progression. This version is commonly used in rock, blues, and jazz music, where a more powerful and unified chord sound is desired.
Inverted Voicings of Em7
Finger Placement and Explanation: Inverted voicings of the Em7 chord involve changing the order of the notes within the chord. For example, one common inversion places the G note (the minor third) in the bass. To play this inversion, you might place your first finger on the 3rd fret of the 6th (E) string, your second finger on the 2nd fret of the 5th (A) string, and your third finger on the 4th fret of the 4th (D) string, while fretting other strings as needed to complete the chord.
Sound and Usage: Inverted voicings can add variety and smoothness to chord progressions. They are often used to create more interesting bass lines and to make transitions between chords more seamless. In jazz and more complex musical arrangements, inverted voicings of Em7 are frequently employed to add harmonic sophistication and to create a more fluid musical flow.
Musical Applications of the Em7 Chord
The Em7 chord finds extensive use in various musical genres, contributing to the overall mood and structure of the music.
In Pop and Rock Music
Chord Progressions: In pop and rock music, the Em7 chord is commonly used in chord progressions. For example, the progression “C-G-Am-Em7-F-C-Dm-G” is a popular sequence that can be heard in many hit songs. The Em7 chord adds a touch of color and movement to the progression, creating a sense of tension and release. It often follows the Am chord, providing a smooth transition and adding a bit of harmonic complexity.
Songwriting and Arrangement: Songwriters use the Em7 chord to create memorable melodies and hooks. Its warm and mellow sound can evoke emotions and enhance the storytelling aspect of the song. In arrangements, the Em7 chord can be used to add texture, such as by playing it arpeggiated (plucking the notes of the chord one by one) to create a more delicate and flowing sound.
In Folk and Acoustic Music
Rhythm and Harmony: In folk and acoustic music, the Em7 chord is a staple. Its open voicing is perfect for strumming patterns, providing a rich and full-bodied sound that complements the acoustic nature of the music. It is often used in combination with other open chords like G, C, and D to create simple yet beautiful chord progressions that are easy to sing along to.
Fingerpicking Styles: Fingerpicking guitarists also make extensive use of the Em7 chord. The individual notes of the chord can be picked in different patterns to create intricate melodies and accompaniments. The Em7 chord’s warm tone blends well with other chords in folk music, helping to create a cozy and inviting musical atmosphere.
In Jazz Music
Harmonic Complexity: In jazz, the Em7 chord is an important part of the harmonic vocabulary. It is often used in more complex chord progressions and improvisation. Jazz musicians use the Em7 chord in combination with other extended chords and chord substitutions to create rich and sophisticated harmonic textures.
Comping and Soloing: When comping (accompanying a soloist), jazz guitarists use the Em7 chord in various voicings, including inverted and extended versions. The chord’s minor 7th quality adds a sense of tension that can be resolved in interesting ways during improvisation. Soloists also use the notes of the Em7 chord as a basis for creating melodic lines, exploring the chord’s harmonic possibilities to create unique and engaging solos.
Em7 Chord in Chord Progressions and Transitions
Understanding how the Em7 chord fits into chord progressions and transitions is key to using it effectively in your playing.
Common Chord Progressions Involving Em7
I-IV-V-vi-ii-V-I with Em7: In the key of C major, a common chord progression is “C-F-G-Am-Dm-G-C”. By substituting the Am chord with Em7 in some sections, you can create a new and interesting variation of the progression. The Em7 chord adds a different harmonic flavor, making the progression more dynamic.
ii-V-I with Em7: In the key of A minor, the progression “Dm7-G7-Cmaj7” is a classic ii-V-I progression. Replacing the Dm7 with Em7 in certain situations can add a touch of surprise and freshness to the progression, creating a unique musical feel.
Smooth Transitions to and from Em7
Voice Leading: Voice leading is the art of moving the individual notes of chords in a smooth and logical way when transitioning between chords. When moving to or from the Em7 chord, pay attention to how the notes move from one chord to the next. Try to keep the movement of the notes as small as possible, avoiding large leaps. For example, if you’re moving from a C chord to an Em7 chord, the C note in the C chord can smoothly move down to the B note in the Em7 chord, while the other notes also move in a step-by-step fashion.
Using Common Notes: Identify common notes between the Em7 chord and the chords it transitions to or from. For instance, if you’re moving from an Am chord to an Em7 chord, the A note in the Am chord is also present in the Em7 chord. By keeping this common note stable while moving the other notes, you can create a more seamless transition between the two chords.
Conclusion
The Em7 chord is a versatile and essential element in the world of guitar playing. Its construction, with the addition of the minor seventh note to the basic E minor triad, gives it a unique and appealing sound that finds application in a wide range of musical genres. Whether you’re strumming it in a pop song, fingerpicking it in a folk ballad, or using it in complex jazz progressions, the Em7 chord adds depth, color, and emotion to your music. Understanding the different ways to play the Em7 chord, its musical applications, and how it fits into chord progressions and transitions empowers guitarists to use this chord effectively in their playing. As you continue to explore the guitar and its vast musical possibilities, the Em7 chord will undoubtedly remain a valuable tool in your musical arsenal, helping you create beautiful and engaging music.
