How to play E minor 7th flat 5 chord on guitar
Shape 012030
Shape characteristics
Open chord
Uses one or more open strings, giving the chord a bright, resonant ring and making it easier to hold for long passages.
First position · fret 1-3
Sits near the nut where frets are widest. Lower string tension makes it easier to fret cleanly, a comfortable choice for singer-songwriter strumming and beginner-friendly progressions.
Full six-string voicing
All six strings ring, giving you the biggest, most resonant version of this chord, ideal for strumming and solo acoustic contexts.
Bass: E · Top: E
The root is in the bass, so the chord sounds grounded and stable. This is the natural starting voicing for most progressions.
Shape 010030 is the closest alternative voicing. Try both to see which fits better.
How to play this shape
- 1 Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 5th string
- 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string
- 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 3rd fret of the 2nd string
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "012030" mean?
The sequence 012030 is a highly compact guitar chord notation. It represents the fret played on each of the 6 strings, reading left-to-right from the thickest (lowest pitch) string to the thinnest (highest pitch) string: E, A, D, G, B, e.
- x means the string is muted or skipped entirely.
- 0 means the string is played "open" (without pressing over a fret).
- 1-9 represent standard fret numbers 1 to 9.
- a, b, c... represent frets 10, 11, 12, and higher (where a=10, b=11, c=12).
Can I play this E minor 7th flat 5 shape anywhere else?
Yes! This specific layout is just one way to voice a E minor 7th flat 5 chord. You can find all other variations in our chord shape library for E minor 7th flat 5. Most guitarists choose different shapes based on whether they want a "brighter" or "deeper" sound, or which chord they are transitioning from.
How do I stop my fingers from buzzing?
Since this shape uses open strings (marked with '0'), make sure your fingers are arched like a "claw" so they don't accidentally brush against the open strings. Press down firmly just behind the metal fret wires for the clearest sound.
Other shapes
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