E Minor Major 7th
Hear the E Minor Major 7th chord played for you.
Em(maj7)
E – G – B – D♯
Formula:R-m3-P5-M7
Intervals:P1-m3-P5-M7
Scale Degrees:1-b3-5-7
Introduction
The E Minor Major 7th chord is a four-note chord made up of E, G, B, and D♯. It is built from a root, minor third, perfect fifth, and major seventh.
The E Minor Major 7th piano chord (EmMaj7) consists of the notes E, G, B, D#. It is a minor triad with an added major 7th, giving it a dark and complex character with strong tension, often used in jazz and minor key progressions. Formula: R-m3-P5-M7 | Scale degrees: 1-b3-5-7.
Notes
E Minor Major 7th Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | E – G – B – D# |
| 1st Inversion | G – B – D# – E |
| 2nd Inversion | B – D# – E – G |
| 3rd Inversion | E – G – B – D# |
Key Signature
The key of E Minor Major 7th has 1 sharp.
F♯
Order of sharps
Sharps are added to a key signature in a fixed order. Each new sharp key adds the next sharp on the list.
F♯C♯G♯D♯A♯E♯B♯
Mnemonic: Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle
Chords in the Key of E Minor
These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the E minor scale:
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
i — E Minor (minor)
Theory: Intervals
Formula: R-m3-P5-M7
Intervals: P1-m3-P5-M7
The E Minor Major 7th is built by stacking intervals from the root note. The formula R-m3-P5-M7 describes the scale degrees used. The intervals P1-m3-P5-M7 show the distance between each note in the chord.
E Minor Major 7th — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the E Minor Major 7th chord?
EmMaj7 contains: E, G, B, D#. Minor triad with major seventh.
How does EmMaj7 differ from Em7?
EmMaj7 has D# (major seventh), Em7 has D (minor seventh).
How is EmMaj7 used in music?
Harmonic minor i chord. Jazz, film noir, rock.
What songs use Minor Major 7th?
James Bond, My Funny Valentine, Stairway to Heaven.
Why does it sound tense?
Minor third (G) and major seventh (D#) create dissonance.
How does EmMaj7 differ from Emaj7?
EmMaj7 has minor third (G). Emaj7 has major third (G#).
Practice Tips
- Play Em then add D# — dramatic tension.
- Descending line: Em → EmMaj7 → Em7 → Em6.
- Compare with Em7.
- Harmonic minor i chord.
- The G–D# interval creates tension.
- Common in rock ballads.
Related Tools
Chord FinderLook up any chord — see the notes, hear it, and play along.Chord DrillTimed drills to build speed and recognition across all chord types.Practice RoomPlug in a MIDI keyboard and get real-time feedback on every chord and scale.Circle of FifthsVisualize key relationships, relative minors, and key signatures.MIDI MonitorLive MIDI message stream with note names, velocity, and a scrolling staff.