E minor scale on piano
E minor (natural minor): the scale of minor keys, with a lowered third, sixth and seventh.
| Notes | E – F♯ – G – A – B – C – D – E |
|---|---|
| Steps | W – H – W – W – H – W – W (W = whole step, H = half step) |
| Fingering | Right hand 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 · Left hand 5 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 |
| Relative major | G major |
How to play the E minor scale
Play it with the right hand using fingers 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 going up — the thumb passes under after the third finger. With the left hand use 5 4 3 2 1 3 2 1. Start slowly with the metronome and keep every note even.
Chords in E minor
Build a chord on every note of the scale using only notes from the scale:
| Step | Triad | Seventh chord |
|---|---|---|
| i | E minor | Em7 |
| ii° | F♯ diminished | F♯m7♭5 |
| III | G major | Gmaj7 |
| iv | A minor | Am7 |
| v | B minor | Bm7 |
| VI | C major | Cmaj7 |
| VII | D major | D7 |
Other E scales
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