The E Minor CAGED Shape

The E Minor Shape is built from the low E (6th) string root and uses the same strings and frets as the Major chord. the white dots on the E major shape below are the root notes, and each of these chords is moved up and down the guitar neck

**The E minor open chord (left) and the E minor movable CAGED shape (right).**

How to Play Barre Chords With The E-Shape

Find the Root: use the root diagram below to find the correct root note on the 6th string.

**The Root note locations on the Low E (6th) string. Use this diagram to find the location of the barre for the E-Shape CAGED System chord.**

Place the chord shape: Using your 2nd, 3rd, and 4th fingers, place the E major chord fingering two frets in front of the fret with the root note. For example, if your root note is on the 6th fret (Bb), place the chord on the 7th and 8th frets.
Form the Barre With Your Index Finger: while the chord shape is in place, form the barre shape (imitating the shape of a capo) and press down on the fret with the side of your index finger.

E Minor Shape Barre Chord Exercises

Practice locating and playing E Minor shape barre chords by playing the exercises below. No strumming pattern is required, but it is important to be able to learn to move each shape up and down the fretboard to play different chords using the E major shape.