E melodic minor scale on piano
The E melodic minor scale on piano has 7 notes: E, F sharp, G, A, B, C sharp, and D sharp (E, F♯, G, A, B, C♯, D♯). It uses 3 black keys: F♯, C♯, D♯.
- E 1
- F♯ F sharp 2
- G ♭3
- A 4
- B 5
- C♯ C sharp 6
- D♯ D sharp 7
The highlighted keys are the notes of the scale, with the name and the degree; the tonic (E) has the strongest color. Tap a key to hear the note; "Play" goes up and down. The small dot marks middle C (C4).
Fingering for the E melodic minor scale
This scale has no single fingering in piano method books. A rule that works: never put the thumb on a black key, and pass the thumb right after a black key. Fingers: 1 = thumb, 2 = index, 3 = middle, 4 = ring, 5 = little finger.
Formula
- E
- W
- F♯
- H
- G
- W
- A
- W
- B
- W
- C♯
- W
- D♯
- H
- E
Degrees: 1 · 2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7. Steps: W – H – W – W – W – W – H (W = whole step, H = half step).
About the melodic minor scale
Minor with major 6th and 7th (the jazz form). A minor sound, but bright.
Harmonized scale (chords in the key)
The chords that come from the scale, stacking thirds from each note.
| Degree | Triad | Seventh chord | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Im | Em | Em(7M) | tonic |
| IIm | F♯m | F♯m7 | subdominant |
| III+ | G+ | G7M(#5) | tonic |
| IV | A | A7 | subdominant |
| V | B | B7 | dominant |
| VI° | C♯° | C♯m7(b5) | subdominant |
| VII° | D♯° | D♯m7(b5) | dominant |
Arpeggios of these chords on piano
Scales with the same notes
More E scales
- Major
- Natural minor
- Harmonic minor
- Melodic minor
- Major pentatonic
- Minor pentatonic
- Blues
- Major blues
- Dorian
- Phrygian
- Lydian
- Mixolydian
- Locrian
- Nordestina (Brazilian baião)
- Phrygian dominant
- Whole-tone
- Diminished (whole-half)
- Dominant diminished (half-whole)
Melodic minor in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the E melodic minor scale?
The notes of the E melodic minor scale are E, F sharp, G, A, B, C sharp, and D sharp. It uses 3 black keys: F♯, C♯, D♯.
What is the formula of the E melodic minor scale?
In degrees: 1 · 2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7. In steps between notes: W – H – W – W – W – W – H (W = whole step, H = half step).
Which chords go with the E melodic minor scale?
The chords of the key are Em, F♯m, G+, A, B, C♯°, D♯°. Tap each one to see it on the keyboard.