Easy Ukulele Chords Part 5: E Minor

Today we’ll be moving on to the next chord in our series on easy ukulele chords: E minor. This chord fits together well with the chords we’ve already gone over: A minor, C, F and G.

As you’ll remember from our previous article on the A minor chord, all minor chords need to contain a note that is three frets above the chord note (also know as a minor third). With the chord note being E, the chord E minor must contain the note G.

You have a choice of options when it comes to playing the E minor chord. Here is how you can play either of them.

E Minor Chord: The First Way

The three finger version of the E minor chord – or Em for short – is played like this: fret the C string at the fourth fret with your ring finger, the E string at the third fret with your middle finger and the A string at the second fret with your index finger.

You don’t need to fret the G string at all.

E Minor Chord: Alternative Version

This inversion of the Em chord gives you two G notes (the one you are playing with your middle finger on the E string and the one you are playing open).

To be an E minor chord, you only need to hear this note once. So instead of playing the E string at the third fret you can play it open. That will give you two E notes in the chord.

You are using one less finger to play this chord, so you might think that makes it easier to play it this way. However, most people find it more difficult.

When you remove your middle finger from the E string you’ll notice that the of it height above the fretboard is increased. That means you have to arc your fingers even higher to let the note ring clearly. This is more tricky, so most people prefer to play the chord the first way we covered.