Explore scales · Ukulele
E natural minor scale on ukulele
E natural minor uses E, F♯, G, A, B, C, and D. Box 1 places a root on string 3 fret 4 for a low-position start.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the E natural minor scale on ukulele?
E natural minor in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 10 notes across 4 strings, from C on the C string at fret 0 up to C on the A string at fret 3. The root falls on the E string at fret 0.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 0, 2 | G, A |
| 3 (C) | 0, 2 | C, D |
| 2 (E) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
| 1 (A) | 0, 2, 3 | A, B, C |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
E natural minor in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 11 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, 5 | A, B, C |
| 3 (C) | 2, 4 | D, E |
| 2 (E) | 2, 3, 5 | F♯, G, A |
| 1 (A) | 2, 3, 5 | B, C, D |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
E natural minor in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 10 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, 5, 7 | B, C, D |
| 3 (C) | 4, 6, 7 | E, F♯, G |
| 2 (E) | 5, 7 | A, B |
| 1 (A) | 5, 7 | D, E |
Box 4 · frets 6–9
E natural minor in box 4 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 9 notes across 4 strings, from F♯ on the C string at fret 6 up to F♯ on the A string at fret 9. 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) | 6, 7, 9 | F♯, G, A |
| 2 (E) | 7, 8 | B, C |
| 1 (A) | 7, 9 | E, F♯ |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
E natural minor in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 11 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, 11, 12 | E, F♯, G |
| 3 (C) | 9, 11, 12 | A, B, C |
| 2 (E) | 10, 12 | D, E |
| 1 (A) | 9, 10, 12 | F♯, G, A |
Why it sounds like that
E natural minor is the Aeolian mode of G major, sharing its key signature. It lowers the third, sixth, and seventh degrees of E major. Compared with E minor pentatonic, it adds F♯ and C for full diatonic movement.
When to use it
Use E natural minor over E minor and E 5th progressions in rock, folk, and classical settings. The C and D create a strong pull back to E. E natural minor suits the key of E minor, where the seventh degree stays a whole step below the tonic.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. It keeps the root on the third string and covers frets 0–3 for easy open-position phrasing.
Common questions
Which notes are in E natural minor?
E natural minor contains E, F♯, G, A, B, C, and D. The intervals are 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7. It is the Aeolian mode of G major.
Which chords fit E natural minor?
E natural minor fits E minor and E 5th chords. The tonic chord is E minor. The scale also works over progressions built from the key of E minor.
How does E natural minor differ from E minor pentatonic?
E natural minor adds F♯ and C to the five notes of E minor pentatonic. The pentatonic scale omits the second and sixth degrees. The natural minor provides a fuller diatonic sound.