E minor scale

The notes of the E minor scale on a piano, the chords that belong to it, and how it sounds. Press play to hear it, tap a key or a chord, and download the scale as MIDI.

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E1F#2Gb3A4B5Cb6Db7

Steps: W H W W H W W (W = whole step, H = half step)

Chords in E minor

Each chord on its own page: Em · F#dim · G · Am · Bm · C · D

Tap a chord to hear it. For progressions you can play and download, see chord progressions in E minor.

How E minor sounds

Darker and more serious than major. This is the natural minor scale, also called the Aeolian mode.

Used in: Most house, techno, trance, drum and bass, trap and pop ballads.

On the Camelot wheel, E minor is 9A.

Same notes, different root: G major, A Dorian, B Phrygian, C Lydian, D Mixolydian.

For the low end: the root of E minor is E and the fifth is B. A kick or 808 tuned to one of them sits with the bass; the kick drum tuning chart has the frequencies.

Write chords in this scale with the chord progression generator, or a melody in the synth.

Other minor scales

Play this scale with VISIONS OF TOMORROW →71 Serum 2 presets for house and techno: leads, pads, plucks, keys and basses to write in any scale. $29.

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Questions

What notes are in the E minor scale?

E, F#, G, A, B, C, D.

What chords are in E minor?

Em, F#dim, G, Am, Bm, C, D.

What is the formula for the minor scale?

1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7, or in steps: W H W W H W W (W is a whole step, H a half step).

Which scales have the same notes as E minor?

G major, A Dorian, B Phrygian, C Lydian, D Mixolydian. They use the same seven notes, starting from a different root.

What is E minor on the Camelot wheel?

9A.