E Pentatonic Minor
Em pentatonic scale for guitar.
The E Pentatonic Minor is a five-note scale. The diagram shows a fingerboard with the notes in the scale. Darker color marks the root notes. In the two-octave pattern, the first root note is on the 6th string, 12th fret.
E Pentatonic Minor 2 octaves
E Pentatonic Minor full fretboard
E Pentatonic Minor with note names
Shape 1 (12th position) with fingerings
Shape 2 (2nd position) with fingerings
Shape 3 (4th position) with fingerings
Shape 4 (7th position) with fingerings
Shape 5 (9th position) with fingerings
Open position
The scale and its scale degrees.
| Formula | Notes |
|---|---|
| 1 | E |
| b3 | G |
| 4 | A |
| 5 | B |
| b7 | D |
The second and the sixth degrees are omitted, for the reason that the degrees are based on the natural Minor seven-note scale.
The interval formula (3 - 2 - 2 - 3 - 2) can be expound into specific notes of the scale.
| Notes (ascending) | Interval |
|---|---|
| E-G | m3 |
| E-A | P4 |
| E-B | P5 |
| E-D | m7 |
Abbreviations are used: M / m stands for major / minor and P stands for perfect.
| Notes (descending) | Interval |
|---|---|
| E-D | M2 |
| E-B | P4 |
| E-A | P5 |
| E-G | M6 |
The notes in the scale can be described as intervals, written as 3 - 2 - 2 - 3 - 2 from the first note to the first in next octave.
The E Pentatonic Minor is relative to G Pentatonic Major. Both scales include the same notes but has different root notes.
This scale is one of the most common for guitarists and utilized in conjunction with lots of styles, including pop, rock and blues.
The easiest way to learn this scale is probably to think of it as the E Minor scale without the second and the sixth degrees.
Some of the chords that are related to this scale are listed here:
- Em
- G
- Am7
- Bm7
- D5
The tones in these chords correspond to the tones of the E Pentatonic Minor scale. Note that the match is not completely exact, the third (C) in Am7 and the fifth (F#) in Bm7 are not included in the scale.
Related to this scale is the E Pentatonic Minor add2, adding the 2nd degree. It can be displayed as follows:
| Formula | Notes | Intervals | Degrees |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | E | Unison | Tonic |
| 2 | F# | Major second | Supertonic |
| b3 | G | Minor third | Mediant |
| 4 | A | Perfect fourth | Subdominant |
| 5 | B | Perfect fifth | Dominant |
| b7 | D | Minor seventh | Subtonic |
The E Pentatonic Minor add2 scale, is identical with the E Minor except for missing the major 6th interval.
Start the audio and play along with your guitar! Use notes from the scale in the diagram above.
Normal tempo:E Pentatonic Minor scale first shape ascending.
The numbers above the tablature are suggested fingerings (zero means open string).
Exercises based on E Pentatonic Minor.