E Minor

Fretboard

About

The E minor triad (E–G–B) lowers the third by a half step, introducing a darker, more inward quality. It functions as the tonic of E minor or as ii in D major. The G is the defining tone — it is what separates minor from major and from any sus chord that omits the third entirely. On guitar, the fifth can be omitted or doubled freely; root and ♭3 together are sufficient to establish the minor sound. Minor chords commonly precede dominants (Em7→A7→DMaj7 as ii–V–I) or move within minor diatonic harmony. Compared to Edim, minor is stable due to its perfect fifth; compared to E, it carries a more subdued, reflective quality.

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