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Guitar scales · Natural minor (Aeolian)

E minor scale on guitar

The E minor scale has seven notes: E, F♯, G, A, B, C and D. As degrees: 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6 and ♭7.

Notes and pattern

The E minor scale

The of a major key: same notes, starting on the 6th degree. Play it to hear it up and down.

From note to note it climbs 2, 1, 2, 2, 1, 2 and 2 : whole, half, whole, whole, half, whole, whole.

E minor has the same notes as G major, starting from E. See that scale.

  1. E1
  2. F♯2
  3. G♭3
  4. A4
  5. B5
  6. C♭6
  7. D♭7
EADGBE0135791215EEEEEEEEEF♯GABCDF♯GABCDF♯GABCDF♯GABCDGABCDF♯GABCDF♯GABCDF♯GABCDF♯G
  • E, the root
  • Other scale notes

Positions

E minor in five positions

The splits the neck into five overlapping positions, one per shape. Learn one, then join it to the next.

E minor · the whole neck

Five positions, each overlapping the next, repeating every 12 frets.

GGEEDCAAEADGBE0135791215EEEEEEEEEF♯GABCDF♯GABCDF♯GABCDF♯GABCDGABCDF♯GABCDF♯GABCDF♯GABCDF♯G
  • Root (E)
  • Scale tone

Chords

Chords from the E minor scale

Stack every other note of the scale on each degree and you get its chords.

Numerals follow the key's own scale, so III, VI and VII in a minor key are its own major chords. A ♭ or ♯ in front marks a chord from outside the key. How Roman numerals work

Hear the chords and progressions in E minor

Same root

Other scales on E

Change a note or two and the same takes on a new mood.

Questions

E minor, in short

What notes are in the E minor scale?
The E minor scale has seven notes: E, F♯, G, A, B, C and D. As degrees: 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6 and ♭7.
What chords go with the E minor scale?
The chords built on E minor are Em, F♯°, G, Am, Bm, C and D.
What is the relative major of E minor?
E minor has the same notes as G major, starting from E.
All guitar scales