Article
How to Read Guitar Chord Diagrams
Learn how to read guitar chord diagrams quickly. Understand dots, numbers, Xs, Os, and finger positions so you can play any chord chart at sight.
Emin7(♯5)/D guitar shapes
Popular fretboard positions with fingering suggestions
Showing 8 of 80 playable shapes
About the chord
E minor 7th sharp 5 / D (3rd inversion)
Emin7(♯5)/D is the E minor 7th sharp 5 / D (3rd inversion) guitar chord with D in the bass. It uses the notes E, G, B♯, and D and the interval formula 1-♭3-♯5-♭7.
The E minor 7th sharp 5 minor 7th sharp 5 chord features a raised fifth B♯ alongside the minor seventh D, creating an exotic, mysterious tension. This unique harmony is used in jazz and fusion for dramatic, emotional depth. With D in the bass, this voicing functions as the 3rd inversion of E minor 7th sharp 5.
Also written as Emin7(♯5), Em7♯5/D, and Em7(♯5)/D.
Root note: E
Bass note: D
Chord tones: 4
Playable shapes: 80
Chord tones
EGB♯D
Common guitar voicings
These are quick-start shapes for players who want the answer first and the deeper theory second.
Shape 1
xx0010
- 1 Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 2nd string.
- 2 Strum from the 4th string down.
Shape 2
xx0553
- 1 Place the 1st finger on the 3rd fret of the 1st string.
- 2 Place the 3rd finger on the 5th fret of the 3rd string.
- 3 Place the 4th finger on the 5th fret of the 2nd string.
- 4 Strum from the 4th string down.
Notes & Intervals
Each note below shows how the chord is built from its root. This is the theory layer underneath the fretboard shapes.
E Unison (Root) 1
The root anchors the chord and defines its tonal center.
G Minor Third ♭3
This note supplies the minor color and gives the chord its darker emotional pull.
B♯ Augmented Fifth ♯5
The raised fifth adds lift, drama, and a more unsettled color.
D Minor Seventh ♭7
The minor seventh adds bluesy or jazzy tension that wants to move onward.
Quick answers
What notes are in Emin7(♯5)/D?
Emin7(♯5)/D uses the notes E, G, B♯, and D. Its interval formula is 1-♭3-♯5-♭7.
What is another name for Emin7(♯5)/D?
Emin7(♯5)/D is also written as Emin7(♯5), Em7♯5/D, and Em7(♯5)/D.
How do you play Emin7(♯5)/D on guitar?
Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 2nd string. Strum from the 4th string down.
Related Articles
Articles that reference this chord and explain how to use it in your playing.
Article
How to Build Chords from Scratch: Guitar Chord Construction Guide
Learn chord construction step-by-step: intervals, triads, sevenths, and extensions. Build any chord from theory to fretboard.
Article
Chord Inversions on Guitar: Voicings That Sound Professional
Learn chord inversions on guitar to create smoother transitions, richer voicings, and more professional-sounding arrangements. Includes shapes and exercises.
Article
Major vs Minor Chords: Hear and Play the Difference
Understand the difference between major and minor chords on guitar. Learn the theory, hear the contrast, and practice switching between happy and sad sounds.
