Em7 Ukulele Chord

Em7 is the E minor seventh chord. It has four notes: E, G, B and D. The standard shape needs two fingers, on the C and A strings at the 2nd fret, with the G and E strings ringing open.

Index on the C string and middle on the A string, both at the 2nd fret; the G and E strings ring open.

How to play Em7 on ukulele, step by step

Index finger: 2nd fret, C string
Middle finger: 2nd fret, A string
Leave the G and E strings open. Strum all four strings.

Em7 is also the straight line at the 7th fret, lower on this page. Between the two sits a four finger shape at frets 3 to 5 for when the chords around it live up the neck.

More ways to play Em7

There are 3 common Em7 shapes: the standard one at the top of the page, plus these further up the neck. You only ever need one. Tap any card to hear it.

Em7 ukulele chord diagram, frets 3 to 5, played 4435 — Frets 3 to 5

Em7 ukulele chord diagram, frets 7 to 7, played 7777 — Frets 7 to 7

If it sounds wrong

An open string goes quiet: Two strings ring open in this chord, and the undersides of the fretting fingers are the usual culprits. Curl both fingers onto their tips and pick the G and E strings alone to check them.
It sounds the same as Em: Listen for D, the seventh, on the C string's 2nd fret. Play Em, then Em7, and compare: the m7 is lighter and less final.
The two fingers land late: They sit side by side at one fret, so move them as a single unit. Practise dropping both together onto the strings rather than one after the other.

What makes it an Em7

E · G · B · D 1 ♭3 5 ♭7

Em7 is a minor seventh chord: an E minor triad (E, G, B) plus a minor seventh (D). The seventh takes the darkness out of the minor and leaves something relaxed.

Em7 is the ii chord of D and the vi chord of G, and G is one of the biggest singalong keys, so the chord earns a place in almost every songbook. On the ukulele it has a bonus job: it is far easier than plain Em, and in most songs it can stand in for it.

Em7 vs Em

On the ukulele these are different shapes, not one finger apart: Em stacks three fingers in a diagonal from the 2nd to the 4th fret, while Em7 flattens to two fingers side by side at the 2nd.

Em is one of the instrument's famously awkward beginner chords, and Em7 is one of its easiest. The two share three notes, so when a fast change to Em keeps failing, Em7 will usually carry the song.

Em7 chord questions

Is Em7 easier than Em on the ukulele?

Much easier. Em7 is two fingers side by side at the 2nd fret; Em is a three finger diagonal ending at the 4th. Many players learn Em7 first for exactly this reason.

Can I play Em7 instead of Em?

Often yes, especially in pop and folk. The chords share three notes, and the seventh usually passes unnoticed. If the song leans on a dark, plain minor, keep working on Em.

What is the difference between Em and Em7?

Em7 adds a D to E, G and B. On the ukulele it also happens to be the simpler shape, which is the reverse of how the pair works on most instruments.

What keys use Em7?

G major, where it is the vi chord, D major, where it is the ii, and E minor itself.