E minor scale on piano
The E minor scale on piano has 7 notes: E, F sharp, G, A, B, C, and D (E, F♯, G, A, B, C, D). It uses 1 black key: F♯. Standard fingering going up one octave: right hand 1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5; left hand 5-4-3-2-1-3-2-1.
- E 1
- F♯ F sharp 2
- G ♭3
- A 4
- B 5
- C ♭6
- D ♭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 minor scale
| Note | E | F♯ | G | A | B | C | D | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Two octaves: Right hand: 1-2-3-1-2-3-4-1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5 · Left hand: 5-4-3-2-1-3-2-1-4-3-2-1-3-2-1
This is the standard fingering from piano method books (the same as in ABRSM exams), going up; to come down, retrace it. Practice each hand separately and slowly before putting them together. Fingers: 1 = thumb, 2 = index, 3 = middle, 4 = ring, 5 = little finger.
Formula
- E
- W
- F♯
- H
- G
- W
- A
- W
- B
- H
- C
- W
- D
- W
- E
Degrees: 1 · 2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · ♭6 · ♭7. Steps: W – H – W – W – H – W – W (W = whole step, H = half step).
About the natural minor scale
The "pure" minor scale (Aeolian mode). Sad or introspective; it is the relative of the major scale a minor third above.
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 | Em7 | tonic |
| II° | F♯° | F♯m7(b5) | subdominant |
| III | G | G7M | tonic |
| IVm | Am | Am7 | subdominant |
| Vm | Bm | Bm7 | dominant |
| VI | C | C7M | subdominant |
| VII | D | D7 | dominant |
Arpeggios of these chords on piano
Scales with the same notes
Relative major: G major scale . Same notes, different center.
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)
Natural minor in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the E minor scale?
The notes of the E minor scale are E, F sharp, G, A, B, C, and D. It uses 1 black key: F♯.
What is the fingering for the E minor scale on piano?
Going up one octave: right hand 1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5 and left hand 5-4-3-2-1-3-2-1. Over two octaves: right hand 1-2-3-1-2-3-4-1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5 and left hand 5-4-3-2-1-3-2-1-4-3-2-1-3-2-1.
What is the formula of the E minor scale?
In degrees: 1 · 2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · ♭6 · ♭7. In steps between notes: W – H – W – W – H – W – W (W = whole step, H = half step).
Which chords go with the E minor scale?
The chords of the key are Em, F♯°, G, Am, Bm, C, D. Tap each one to see it on the keyboard.