Explore scales · Guitar
E minor pentatonic scale on guitar
E minor pentatonic contains E, G, A, B, and D. Box 1 at frets 0–3 puts the root on string 5, fret 7 for a mid-neck blues position.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭7
How do you play the E minor pentatonic scale on guitar?
E minor pentatonic in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 12 notes across 6 strings, from E on the low E string at fret 0 up to G on the high e string at fret 3. The root falls on the low E string at fret 0, the D string at fret 2 and the high e string at fret 0.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 3 | E, G |
| 5 (A) | 0, 2 | A, B |
| 4 (D) | 0, 2 | D, E |
| 3 (G) | 0, 2 | G, A |
| 2 (B) | 0, 3 | B, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 3 | E, G |
Box 2 · frets 3–5
E minor pentatonic in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 5, 9 notes across 6 strings, from G on the low E string at fret 3 up to A on the high e string at fret 5. The root falls on the B string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3, 5 | G, A |
| 5 (A) | 5 | D |
| 4 (D) | 5 | G |
| 3 (G) | 4 | B |
| 2 (B) | 3, 5 | D, E |
| 1 (e) | 3, 5 | G, A |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
E minor pentatonic in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 11 notes across 6 strings, from A on the low E string at fret 5 up to B on the high e string at fret 7. The root falls on the A string at fret 7 and the B string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5, 7 | A, B |
| 5 (A) | 5, 7 | D, E |
| 4 (D) | 5, 7 | G, A |
| 3 (G) | 7 | D |
| 2 (B) | 5, 8 | E, G |
| 1 (e) | 5, 7 | A, B |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
E minor pentatonic in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 12 notes across 6 strings, from B on the low E string at fret 7 up to D on the high e string at fret 10. The root falls on the A string at fret 7 and the G string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7, 10 | B, D |
| 5 (A) | 7, 10 | E, G |
| 4 (D) | 7, 9 | A, B |
| 3 (G) | 7, 9 | D, E |
| 2 (B) | 8, 10 | G, A |
| 1 (e) | 7, 10 | B, D |
Box 5 · frets 10–12
E minor pentatonic in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 12, 10 notes across 6 strings, from D on the low E string at fret 10 up to E on the high e string at fret 12. The root falls on the low E string at fret 12 and the high e string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 10, 12 | D, E |
| 5 (A) | 10, 12 | G, A |
| 4 (D) | 12 | D |
| 3 (G) | 12 | G |
| 2 (B) | 10, 12 | A, B |
| 1 (e) | 10, 12 | D, E |
Why it sounds like that
E minor pentatonic removes the 2nd and 6th from E natural minor, leaving 1, ♭3, 4, 5, and ♭7. Add the ♭5 to get E blues minor. The step pattern is 1½, W, W, 1½, W.
When to use it
E minor pentatonic fits E minor and E 5th chords. Use it over E minor, G major, and A 5th progressions in rock and blues. The D note also works over D 5th.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It covers frets 0–3 with the root on string 5, fret 7, ideal for mid-neck blues phrases.
Common questions
What notes are in E minor pentatonic?
E minor pentatonic contains E, G, A, B, and D. The intervals are 1, ♭3, 4, 5, and ♭7. It omits the 2nd and 6th from E natural minor.
Which chords fit E minor pentatonic?
E minor pentatonic fits E minor and E 5th chords. It also works over G major and A 5th. The D note allows D 5th in some contexts.
How is E minor pentatonic different from E blues minor?
E blues minor adds a ♭5 (B♭) to E minor pentatonic. The pentatonic has five notes; the blues has six. The extra note creates chromatic passing motion.