Scale · 5 notes
E minor pentatonic scale — guitar notes & shapes
The E minor pentatonic scale is E, G, A, B, D. Five notes, no half steps: the minor pentatonic is the first scale most guitarists learn for soloing, because almost nothing in it sounds wrong over a minor or blues backing.
On the fretboard
Red = root (E). High e string on top, like tab. Numbers show the scale degree. Shaded area: position 1 (frets 12–15).
Notes and formula
| Degree | Note | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | E | root |
| ♭3 | G | minor 3rd |
| 4 | A | perfect 4th |
| 5 | B | perfect 5th |
| ♭7 | D | minor 7th |
Steps: W+H W W W+H W (W = whole step, H = half step).
Chords to play it over
Relative scale: G major pentatonic.
Home key: Em.
Sound, styles and practice
Styles: Blues, rock, hard rock, funk and soul solos.
- Learn “box 1” (highlighted) first: root under your index on the low E string.
- Bend the 4th up a whole step to the 5th — the classic rock bend.
- Play over a slow jam track and end your phrases on the root.
Go further with the pentatonic scale guide and how to improvise.
FAQ
- What notes are in the E minor pentatonic scale?
- E minor pentatonic: E, G, A, B, D.
- Where do I play E minor pentatonic on the guitar?
- The easiest place is around fret 12, where E sits on the low E string (highlighted in the diagram). The same pattern repeats 12 frets higher.
- What is its relative scale?
- G major pentatonic — the same notes with a different home note.