E Minor Triads on Guitar: Every Inversion on Every String Set
A E minor triad is E, G and B (1 ♭3 5). It has three arrangements, root position, first inversion and second inversion, and each can be played on four groups of three strings: all twelve shapes are below.
Keys
CAGED Chords — Em
Triads — Em
Root position
First inversion
Second inversion
All inversions
The notes of Em
E minor is a minor third (three frets) with a major third (four frets) on top. Root position puts E at the bottom (E, G and B); first inversion puts G at the bottom (G, B and E); second inversion puts B at the bottom (B, E and G).
Em on every string set
On the low E, A and D strings: root position at frets 0–10, first inversion at frets 2–3 and second inversion at frets 5–7.
On the A, D and G strings: root position at frets 4–7, first inversion at frets 9–10 and second inversion at frets 0–2.
On the D, G and B strings: root position at frets 0–2, first inversion at frets 4–5 and second inversion at frets 8–9.
On the G, B and high e strings: root position at frets 7–9, first inversion at fret 0 and second inversion at frets 3–5.
Where the inversions sit in the CAGED shapes
The practice pad above shows Em's triads inside each CAGED shape. Use the R, 2, 3 and V switches to see each arrangement:
- Root position: C shape (fret 4), A shape (fret 7), G shape (fret 9) and E shape (fret 12).
- First inversion: C shape (fret 4), A shape (fret 9) and E shape (fret 12).
- Second inversion: Cm shape (fret 3), A shape (fret 8) and E shape (fret 12).
Where Em appears
Em belongs to 8 keys: iii in C major, ii in D major and vi in G major; i in E minor, v in A minor and iv in B minor; i in E harmonic minor and iv in B harmonic minor.
Of those, C major, D major, G major, E minor, A minor and E harmonic minor are keys guitarists play in constantly, because their open strings ring with the scale, so Em turns up often in songs.
Open strings and capo options for Em
Four open strings are part of Em: the low E string (root), the G string (the third), the B string (the fifth) and the high e string (root). Because the root is among them, you can let it drone under any of the shapes.
There's an open Em chord at the nut: the E shape.
With a capo you can also play it as the Dm shape with the capo at fret 2 and the Am shape with the capo at fret 7.
Closely related chords
The closest chords to Em share two of its three notes: its relative major and the chords a fourth and a fifth away, which are its neighbours in E minor.
Em triad FAQs
What notes are in a E minor triad?
E, G and B. The formula is 1 ♭3 5.
What is the first inversion of Em?
G, B and E, with G in the bass. On the G, B and high e strings it sits at fret 0, fret 0 and fret 0.
How many Em triad shapes are there?
Twelve to learn: root position and two inversions on each of the four three-string sets. They repeat twelve frets higher.
Related
Learn more
How to use guitar triads explains inversions and how to use them in rhythm parts and solos, and triads on all string sets goes through each set in turn. The triad library has every chord.