E minor scale

E minor

  • ER
  • F♯2
  • G♭3
  • A4
  • B5
  • C♭6
  • D♭7

Positions

123456789101112131415EF♯GABCDEF♯GABCDEF♯GABCDEF♯GABCDEGABCDEF♯GABCDEF♯GABCDEF♯GABCDEF♯G

How it is built

  • Seven notes: whole, half, whole, whole, half, whole, whole. The half steps fall between F♯–G and B–C.
  • G is the flat third, the note that makes it minor. D is the flat seventh, a whole step below E, so the pull home is softer than in major.
  • Same notes as G major. Raise D to D♯ for harmonic minor and the V chord turns major.

Chords in the key of E minor

  1. iEm
  2. ii°F♯dim
  3. IIIG
  4. ivAm
  5. vBm
  6. VIC
  7. VIID
Build a progression in E minor →

Chords that fit E minor

Related keys

  • Relative: G major — same notes, different home
  • Parallel: E major — same root, different notes

Other E scales