stringery

E minor pentatonic

The first scale most players learn: rock and blues solos. Minor family

Gritty and expressive. The sound of a guitar solo.

Root position1 of 5

35791215

Square: the root. In colour: the minor 3rd, the note that gives this scale its sound.

Built from

  1. ER1½
  2. G♭3W
  3. A4W
  4. B51½
  5. D♭7W

Five notes with no half steps, so you can bend and slide anywhere and it still sounds right.

Between the notes: W is a whole step (2 frets), H a half step (1 fret), and 1½ a step and a half (3 frets).

On the whole neckE minor pentatonic

12345EADGBE35791215R♭345♭7R♭345♭7R♭345♭7R♭345♭7R♭345♭7R♭345♭7R♭345♭7R♭345♭7R♭3
12345EADGBE35791215R♭345♭7R♭345♭7R♭345♭7R♭345♭7R♭345♭7R♭345♭7R♭345♭7R♭345♭7R♭3

Position 1 is outlined, frets 0 to 3. Pick another window to move there.

Ring the notes of a chord

Play it over

Chords this scale sounds good over, most natural first.

Same notes, different home

  • G major pentatonic

    Same five notes, centred on the relative major.

  • E blues

    Add one note, the flat 5th, and it becomes the blues scale.