E minor

Minor scale based on E
E minor
{ \magnifyStaff #3/2 \omit Score.TimeSignature \key e \minor s16 \clef F \key e \minor s^"" }
Relative keyG major
Parallel keyE major
Dominant keyB minor
SubdominantA minor
Component pitches
E, F, G, A, B, C, D

E minor is a minor scale based on E, consisting of the pitches E, F, G, A, B, C, and D. Its key signature has one sharp. Its relative major is G major and its parallel major is E major.[1]


The E natural minor scale is:

 {
\omit Score.TimeSignature \relative c' {
 \key e \minor \time 7/4 e^"E natural minor scale" fis g a b c d e d c b a g fis e2 \clef F \key e \minor
} }

Changes needed for the melodic and harmonic versions of the scale are written in with accidentals as necessary. The E harmonic minor and melodic minor scales are:

 {
\omit Score.TimeSignature \relative c' {
 \key e \minor \time 7/4 e^"E harmonic minor scale" fis g a b c dis e dis c b a g fis e2
} }
 {
\omit Score.TimeSignature \relative c' {
 \key e \minor \time 7/4 e^"E melodic minor scale (ascending and descending)" fis g a b cis dis e d? c? b a g fis e2
} }

Much of the classical guitar repertoire is in E minor, as this is a very natural key for the instrument. In standard tuning (E A D G B E), four of the instrument's six open (unfretted) strings are part of the tonic chord. The key of E minor is also popular in heavy metal music, as its tonic is the lowest note on a standard-tuned guitar.

Scale degree chords

Notable compositions

See also

References

  1. ^ "Notation" BBC Bitesize. Retrieved 2023-06-14.
  2. ^ "Symphony No. 9 in E minor, 'From the New World’ – Largo by Antonín Dvořák" BBC. Retrieved 2023-06-14.

External links

  • Media related to E minor at Wikimedia Commons
  • v
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Diatonic scales and keys
Circle of fifths
Circle of fifths
No. Flats Sharps
Major minor Major minor
0 C a C a
1 F d G e
2 B g D b
3 E c A f
4 A f E c
5 D b B g
6 G e F d
7 C a C a
8 F d G e
The table indicates the number of sharps or flats in each scale. Minor scales are written in lower case.