This guitar scale reference contains the notes, formula, structure, positions, chords, and modes for the E Minor scale. For an in-depth lesson on the minor scale, please see Minor Scale Positions & Theory.
Notes of E Minor Scale
The E Minor Scale contains one sharp, F#. The rest of the notes are all naturals.
E – F# – G – A – B – C – D
Scale Formula
Intervals | Root | Major 2nd | Minor 3rd | Perfect 4th | Perfect 5th | Minor 6th | Minor 7th |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Notes | E | F# | G | A | B | C | D |
Scale Structure
E Minor is a minor scale and follows the minor scale structure of whole and half step intervals:
W H W W H W W

Scale Positions
The diagrams below outline the 5 CAGED positions for the E Minor scale.
Position 1

Position 2

Position 3

Position 4

Position 5

Chords in the Key of E Minor
Degree | i | ii° | III | iv | v | VI | VII |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chord | Em | F#dim | G | Am | Bm | C | D |
Chord Notes | E – G – B | F# – A – C | G – B – D | A – C – E | B – D – F# | C – E – G | D – F# – A |
Relative and Parallel Scales
Relative Major of E Minor: G major | G – Am – Bm – C – D – Em – F#dim
Parallel Major of E Minor: E major | E – F#m – G#m – A – B – C#m – Ddim
Modes
The following are the modes of E Minor:
- G Ionian (Major)
- A Dorian (Minor)
- B Phrygian (Minor)
- C Lydian (Major)
- D Mixolydian (Major)
- E Aeolian (Minor)
- F# Locrian (Minor)