E minor pentatonic scale

E minor pentatonic scale uses the notes E, G, A, B and D. Counted from E, its formula is 1 ♭3 4 5 ♭7, and the distance between neighbouring notes follows the pattern W+H W W W+H W.

Notes, formula and steps

Read from the root, the E minor pentatonic scale contains root (E), minor 3rd (G), perfect 4th (A), perfect 5th (B) and minor 7th (D). The step pattern W+H W W W+H W (W = whole step, H = half step, W+H = a step and a half) is the same for every minor pentatonic scale, so you can rebuild it from any note. This scale has no sharps or flats: only white keys on the piano.

How to play the E minor pentatonic scale on piano

Start on E and play E, G, A, B and D going up, then come back down. Say the note names out loud while you play: it links the sound, the keys and the names. Practise hands separately first, slowly with the metronome, then speed up.

How to play the E minor pentatonic scale on guitar

On guitar, the root E sits at fret 0 on the low E string and fret 7 on the A string. Start from one of these roots and play the notes of the fretboard map above in order, one string after another. The whole-neck view shows every place the E minor pentatonic scale appears, so you can connect the positions instead of staying in one box.

Chords in the E minor pentatonic scale

With only 5 notes, this scale does not produce a chord on every degree. It fits naturally over Em, Esus4, Em7, G and Dsus2, which is why it is so popular for improvising.

Relative and parallel scales

The E minor pentatonic scale shares its notes with the G major pentatonic scale: same notes, different starting point and a different mood. Its parallel scale, on the same root, is the E major scale. Switching between them is a classic way to change colour without changing key.

About the minor pentatonic scale

Five notes, raw and bluesy: the most used scale in rock and blues guitar. It keeps the minor third and the ♭7 but drops the 2nd and the ♭6, so there are no semitones and almost no note sounds wrong over a minor or dominant groove. Bends on the 4th and the ♭7 give it its vocal, crying quality.

Over minor chords and minor keys (i iv v, i ♭VII ♭VI) and, famously, over all three chords of a major-key 12-bar blues (I7 IV7 V7), where its ♭3 rubs against the major third of the chords. Most rock, blues, funk, metal and soul solos are built on it, at least in part.

On guitar, learn box 1 (root on the 6th string under the index finger) and play it up and down with alternate picking, then add bends on the 3rd string. Connect it to box 2, then to the other boxes, until you can travel along the neck. On piano, play it over a minor chord or a blues shuffle in the left hand, leaving space between phrases.

Formula 1 ♭3 4 5 ♭7, steps W+H W W W+H W. The minor pentatonic is the natural minor scale without its 2nd and ♭6, and it has the same notes as the major pentatonic built on its ♭3. Add the ♭5 and you get the blues scale; add the 2nd and the 6th and you are playing Dorian.

Frequently asked questions

What are the notes of the E minor pentatonic scale?

The E minor pentatonic scale has 5 notes: E, G, A, B and D. Formula: 1 ♭3 4 5 ♭7.

How many sharps or flats are in the E minor pentatonic scale?

None: the E minor pentatonic scale uses only natural notes.

Which chords are in the E minor pentatonic scale?

It fits over Em, Esus4, Em7, G and Dsus2. As a 5-note scale it does not build a chord on every degree.

What is the relative of the E minor pentatonic scale?

It shares its notes with the G major pentatonic scale. Its parallel scale is the E major scale.

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