Em6 Chord on Guitar
Em6 is the E minor 6th chord — 4 notes (E, G, B, C♯) built from the formula 1 ♭3 5 6. Below are playable shapes across the fretboard, the keys it belongs to and the scales to use when soloing over it.
Em6: Chord shapes (open & barre)
- open position
- fret 2
- fret 5
- fret 6
- fret 9
- fret 12
Em6: Drop 2 voicings
- bass: 5
- bass: 5
- bass: 5
- bass: 6
- bass: 6
- bass: 6
- bass: R
- bass: R
- bass: R
- bass: ♭3
- bass: ♭3
- bass: ♭3
Em6: Drop 3 voicings
- bass: ♭3
- bass: ♭3
- bass: 5
- bass: 5
- bass: 6
- bass: 6
- bass: R
- bass: R
Em6: Shell voicings (jazz)
- R-3-7
- R-3-7
- R-7-3
- R-7-3
Keys that contain Em6
Scales to play over Em6
- E Dorian Mode
- E Melodic Minor Scale
- E Major Blues Scale
- E Dorian ♯4 Scale
- E Lydian ♯2 Scale
- E Dorian ♭2 Scale
Ordered from the most common choice. All of them contain E, G, B, C♯.
Other E chords
Minor 6th chords in other keys
FAQ
- What notes are in the Em6 chord?
- Em6 (E minor 6th) contains E, G, B, C♯ — formula 1 ♭3 5 6.
- How do you play Em6 on guitar?
- A common shape is 022020 (low E to high E, x = muted string, open position). This page shows more shapes, drop 2, drop 3 and shell voicings in the interactive library.
- What scale goes with Em6?
- Good choices to solo over Em6: E Dorian, E Melodic minor, E Major blues.
- What key is Em6 in?
- Em6 is diatonic in D major (ii6), B minor (iv6).