Em7 Chord on Guitar: One-Finger Open Chord
Em7 is the easiest chord on the guitar. One finger. Five strings ringing. Here
Em7 might be the easiest chord on the guitar. One finger. Sometimes zero fingers, depending on which voicing you use. The chord that opens "Wonderwall" and lives at the gateway to the entire neck.
Em7 is built from E, G, B, and D.
The Easiest Em7 Voicing
- 1st string (high E): open
- 2nd string (B): open
- 3rd string (G): open
- 4th string (D): open
- 5th string (A): 2nd fret, middle finger
- 6th string (low E): open
One finger on the 5th string at the 2nd fret. Strum all 6 strings. The notes from low to high are E, B, D, G, B, E. All four notes of Em7 plus doublings.
The Wonderwall Em7 Voicing
The famous Em7 used in "Wonderwall" uses two fingers and adds the high D and B notes more emphatically.
- 1st string (high E): 3rd fret, ring finger
- 2nd string (B): 3rd fret, pinky
- 3rd string (G): open
- 4th string (D): open
- 5th string (A): 2nd fret, middle finger... wait, the Wonderwall version skips the 5th string fret. Let me restate.
The Wonderwall Em7:
- 1st string (high E): 3rd fret, ring finger
- 2nd string (B): 3rd fret, pinky
- 3rd string (G): open
- 4th string (D): open
- 5th string (A): open
- 6th string (low E): open
This version emphasizes the upper register. The chord rings brighter than the one-finger version. Both are legitimate Em7s.
Songs That Use Em7
- "Wonderwall" by Oasis. The famous Em7 of the verse.
- "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey uses Em7 in the verse.
- "Stairway to Heaven" visits Em7-related shapes.
- Most singer-songwriter material in G or D. Em7 is a staple substitute for Em.
FAQ: Em7 Chord Questions
What's the difference between Em7 and Em?
One note. Em7 adds D, the minor 7th. The simplest Em7 voicing leaves the 4th string (D) open instead of fretting it at the 2nd fret like Em.
Can Em7 be played with one finger?
Yes. The simplest Em7 uses just the middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 5th string. All other strings ring open.
What's the Wonderwall Em7?
A two-finger version that adds the 3rd fret of the 1st and 2nd strings. The chord rings brighter and is what Noel Gallagher uses on the recording.
Is Em7 the same as G6?
The notes are nearly identical (E, G, B, D). G6 is G, B, D, E. Same four notes, different root. The chord function is what differs.
What chord follows Em7 most often?
G or A7sus4. The Em7 to G to D move is the verse of "Wonderwall."
Ready to practice?
Put what you've learned into action with Guitaring's free tools - tuner, chord library, song play-alongs, and AI coach.
Practice the Em7 voicings