E Minor Pentatonic Scale
The E minor pentatonic scale contains E – G – A – B – D. It is E minor without its 2nd (F#) and 6th (C), so it is usually written in the key signature of E minor: 1 sharp: F#. On the piano, E minor pentatonic uses only white keys.
E minor pentatonic scale chart
Pentatonic and blues scales have no standard book fingering, so none is shown here. Pick fingers that keep your thumb off the black keys.
E minor pentatonic vs E minor
| Degree | 1 | 2 | b3 | 4 | 5 | b6 | b7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minor | E | F# | G | A | B | C | D |
| Pentatonic | E | – | G | A | B | – | D |
F# and C are the two notes of E minor that sit a half step from a neighbour. Without them the scale has no half steps at all. Its relative is G major pentatonic, which uses the same five keys starting from G. Add one note and it becomes E blues.
What E minor pentatonic is used for
This is the first scale most rock and blues players learn to solo with. It fits over Em and Em7, over a minor song in the key of E minor, and over a blues in E, where its G rubs against the major 3rd of the E chord on purpose.
Notes and intervals
| Note | Degree | Interval from E | Semitones |
|---|---|---|---|
| E | 1 | root | 0 |
| G | b3 | minor 3rd | 3 |
| A | 4 | perfect 4th | 5 |
| B | 5 | perfect 5th | 7 |
| D | b7 | minor 7th | 10 |
Step pattern
The minor pentatonic scale is built from the pattern W+H – W – W – W+H – W (W = whole step, H = half step, W+H = three semitones). Apply that pattern from any starting note and you get the same scale in a different key.
Key signature
E minor has 1 sharp: F#. The pentatonic plays E, G, A, B and D, so F# and C simply never sound.
Chords using only these notes
Five notes leave room for few chords, so each of these can be played with E minor pentatonic alone.
| Chord | Notes |
|---|---|
| Em | E G B |
| Em7 | E G B D |
| Esus4 | E A B |
| G | G B D |
| Gsus2 | G A D |
| Gmaj6 | G B D E |
| Asus2 | A B E |
| Asus4 | A D E |
| Dsus2 | D E A |
| Dsus4 | D G A |
More scales on E
Minor Pentatonic scale in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the E minor pentatonic scale?
The E minor pentatonic scale contains E, G, A, B, D, then returns to E an octave higher.
Which notes does E minor pentatonic leave out of E minor?
The 2nd, F#, and the 6th, C. What remains is E, G, A, B, D.
What is the relative major pentatonic of E minor pentatonic?
G major pentatonic. It uses the same five keys, with G as its tonic.
What is the step pattern of the minor pentatonic scale?
It follows the pattern W+H – W – W – W+H – W, where W is a whole step (two semitones), H is a half step (one semitone) and W+H is three semitones.