Scale Charts › E Minor scale

E Minor scale on guitar

E Minor is a seven-note natural minor scale (the Aeolian mode). Its notes are E, F#, G, A, B, C and D (1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7). It is the sound of most minor-key rock, pop and metal, and it shares its notes with its relative major. The E roots sit at frets 0 and 12 on the low E string.

How to practice it

1. Start at fret 12 on the low E string and play the box from low to high and back.
2. Say or think the note names as you play until the roots jump out.
3. Play it over a backing track in the same key and aim for the root on strong beats.
4. Chords in the key: Em, F#dim, G, Am, Bm, C and D.

Questions

What notes are in the E Minor scale?

E, F#, G, A, B, C and D. The formula is 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7.

Where do I start E Minor on guitar?

Put your first finger on E at fret 12 of the low E string; the root is also at fret 7 of the A string. Learn that box first, then link it to the next one up the neck.

What is the relative major of E Minor?

G Major. It uses the same notes starting from a different root.

Also try: G Major scale · E Minor · Scale Charts