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Scales

E minor scale

The E minor scale notes: E – F♯ – G – A – B – C – D. The natural minor (Aeolian): the notes of the relative major starting from its 6th degree. Darker and sadder than major.

Notes and steps

E1F♯2G♭3A4B5C♭6D♭7

Steps: W – H – W – W – H – W – W · W = whole step, H = half step

E minor scale on guitar

Standard tuning, frets 0–12. Filled circles are the root.

E minor scale on the guitar fretboardEF♯GABCDEABCDEF♯GADEF♯GABCDGABCDEF♯GBCDEF♯GABEF♯GABCDE357912

E minor scale on piano

E minor scale on the piano keyboardCDEGABCDEGABF♯F♯

Chords in this scale

iEmEm7ii°F♯dimF♯m7b5IIIGGmaj7ivAmAm7vBmBm7VICCmaj7VIIDD7

Other scales from E

The same scale from other notes

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the E minor scale?

E, F♯, G, A, B, C, D. Step formula: W–H–W–W–H–W–W (W = whole step, H = half step).

How do I practise it on guitar?

Every circle on the fretboard is a note of the scale up to fret 12; the filled circles mark the root (E). Start in one position (within 4–5 frets), root to root, slowly, with a metronome.

Which chords go with it?

The chords built on its degrees: Em, F♯dim, G, Am, Bm, C, D. More in the key of E minor.

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Photos: Isak Photography, 42 North, Rachel Loughman, Vitaly Gariev, Vitaly Gariev, Isaac Martin / Unsplash