Explore scales · Ukulele
E minor pentatonic scale on ukulele
E minor pentatonic contains E, G, A, B, and D. Box 1 places the root on string 3, fret 4 for a low-position grip.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭7
How do you play the E minor pentatonic scale on ukulele?
E minor pentatonic in box 1 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 8 notes across 4 strings, from D on the C string at fret 2 up to D on the A string at fret 5. The root falls on the C string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2, 4 | A, B |
| 3 (C) | 2, 4 | D, E |
| 2 (E) | 3, 5 | G, A |
| 1 (A) | 2, 5 | B, D |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
E minor pentatonic in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 8 notes across 4 strings, from E on the C string at fret 4 up to E on the A string at fret 7. The root falls on the C string at fret 4 and the A string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4, 7 | B, D |
| 3 (C) | 4, 7 | E, G |
| 2 (E) | 5, 7 | A, B |
| 1 (A) | 5, 7 | D, E |
Box 3 · frets 7–10
E minor pentatonic in box 3 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 8 notes across 4 strings, from G on the C string at fret 7 up to G on the A string at fret 10. The root falls on the G string at fret 9 and the A string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 7, 9 | D, E |
| 3 (C) | 7, 9 | G, A |
| 2 (E) | 7, 10 | B, D |
| 1 (A) | 7, 10 | E, G |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
E minor pentatonic in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 8 notes across 4 strings, from A on the C string at fret 9 up to A on the A string at fret 12. The root falls on the G string at fret 9 and the E string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 9, 12 | E, G |
| 3 (C) | 9, 11 | A, B |
| 2 (E) | 10, 12 | D, E |
| 1 (A) | 10, 12 | G, A |
Why it sounds like that
E minor pentatonic drops the second and sixth degrees from E natural minor, leaving 1, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭7. The intervals are 0, 3, 5, 7, 10 semitones, with steps of 1½, whole, whole, 1½, whole. Adding a ♭5 creates the E blues minor scale.
When to use it
E minor pentatonic fits E minor and E 5th chords, and suits blues, rock, and folk in E minor. The flat third and seventh give a classic minor pentatonic sound.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first: the root sits on string 3, fret 4, covering frets 2–5 with an easy reach to the open first string.
Common questions
What notes are in E minor pentatonic?
E minor pentatonic contains E, G, A, B, and D. The scale drops the second and sixth degrees from E natural minor. This five-note set is widely used in blues and rock.
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 in a progression. The scale avoids notes that clash with these chords.
How does E minor pentatonic relate to E blues minor?
E minor pentatonic adds a ♭5 to become E blues minor. The blues scale has six notes instead of five. That extra note is the blue note between the fourth and fifth.