subject: Guitar For Kids -- The Em Chord [print this page] Hello everyone! Hello everyone!
We are gonna talk about the Em chord in this lesson. But first, let's review some stuff.
First, we learned about the Chromatic Scale and that it was known as a half-step scale because the distance between each note was a half (1/2) step.
Second, we learned about the idea of "3rds".
A B C D E F G A
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
In the musical alphabet scale such as this one, a 3rd is really every other note. So that means:
C is the 3rd of A
E is the 3rd of C
G is the 3rd of E
AND
D is the 3rd of B
F is the 3rd of D
A is the 3rd of F
Thirdly, we learned that "3rds" also have a "quality" to them. Some 3rds are called major 3rds (M3) because the distance between the 2 notes is 4 half-steps. Some 3rds are minor 3rds (m3) because the distance between the 2 notes are only 3 half-steps. We use the Chromatic Scale to find these half-steps.
Lastly, we learned that chords are made from 3rds. Major chords have the formula R (root) + M3 + m3. Minor chords have the formula of R + m3 + M3.
Okidoke! Now for the Em chord. This of course is a minor chord because of the itty bitty "m" after the E. That means that the formula used for this chord is R + m3 + M3. Right?
So what's the root? Well..... that would be E, of course.
What's a m3 up from there? (Use the chromatic scale below.)
Answer: G
What's a M3 up from G?
Answer: B
So the Em chord is E G B. No other notes allowed in the chord other than E G B... E G B is the definition of an Em chord.
Let's look at the chord picture below.
The 1st string is an open E.
The 2nd string is an open B.
The 3rd string is an open G.
The 4th string has the 1st finger on the 2nd fret. That note is an E.
The 5th string has the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret. That's a B.
The 6th string is an open E.
The notes for this Em chord are from high to low:
E B G E B E
It doesn't matter that some notes are repeated just as long as E B G are the only notes. There are other ways to play Em, but they will still have only E B G. No other notes.
As usual, memorize all of this important, planet saving stuff.
Professor Bruno Noteworthy
by: Professor Bruno Noteworthy: Toon Music Professor
