E minor
Minor key. Scale: E, F#, G, A, B, C, D.
Octaves
Musical context
How the key relates to the chord, scale, mode and progression.
Theory
General info
- Name
- E minor
- Mode
- Minor
- Tonic
- E
- Key signature
1 sharp: F.
- Key character
- Scale degree 3 clearly distinguishes minor from the parallel major, while variable degrees 6 and 7 make voice leading flexible. In equal temperament, tonic pitch alone does not determine mood; melody, harmony, register, tempo, and texture do.
- Overview
- The E minor key sets its stable tones and typical harmonic connections. Major keys are built on the Ionian mode (steps 2 – 2 – 1 – 2 – 2 – 2 – 1), minor keys on the Aeolian (2 – 1 – 2 – 2 – 1 – 2 – 2). The number of accidentals marks the key's position on the circle of fifths.
Key composition
1Eroot
2F#major 2nd
b3Gminor 3rd
4Aperfect 4th
5Bperfect 5th
b6Cminor 6th
b7Dminor 7th
Key construction
- Interval formula
- EWF#HGWAWBHCWD
- Explanation
- The natural minor scale follows the pattern whole, half, whole, whole, half, whole, whole. Scale degree 3 defines the minor quality; harmonic and melodic minor alter degrees 6 and 7 for voice leading and dominant function.
Related keys
- Relative key
- G major
- Parallel key
- E major
- Reference mode
- E Aeolian (natural minor)
Harmonic functions
TTonici (Em), III (G)
SSubdominantii° (F#dim), iv (Am), VI (C)
DDominantv (Bm), VII (D)
- Overview
- Tonic is the stable centre of a key. Predominant function moves away from tonic and prepares dominant; dominant points toward resolution in tonic. The scheme Tonic → Predominant → Dominant → Tonic describes a basic functional progression but does not exhaust tonal harmony.
Chords by degree
Primary triads
- Tonic triad 1 – 3 – 5
- Subdominant triad 4 – 6 – 1
- Dominant triad 5 – 7 – 2
E—G—B
A—C—E
B—D—F#
Tensions & resolutions
bVIIDD
iEE
In natural minor, scale degree 7 lies a whole step below tonic; raising it creates a leading tone.
iiF#F#
iEE
Scale degree 2 may resolve downward by step to tonic.
Harmonic context
E minor is a minor key. Natural, harmonic, and melodic forms vary scale degrees 6 and 7, so chord content and voice leading depend on context.
Natural progressions
Cadences
VBB
iEE
Authentic cadence with a major dominant (raised 7th) confirms the minor center.
ivAA
VBB
iEE
A complete functional progression moves from minor predominant through major dominant to tonic.
This key on guitar 🎸
See how E minor looks on guitar.
Circle of fifths
Usage & Practice
Application in music
- Natural minor supplies the basic diatonic collection, while harmonic and melodic forms alter scale degrees 6 and 7 according to voice leading.
- Major dominant V with raised scale degree 7 creates a strong resolution into minor tonic i.
- Patterns such as i – VI – III – VII can be transposed into this key without changing scale-degree relationships.
- Minor quality provides a clear contrast with major, but specific character also depends on melody, rhythm, register, tempo, texture, and timbre.
Practice
- Play the tonic chord (Em), then compare it with the other diatonic chords: tonic serves as the stable centre of the key.
- Alternate Em and Bm (I – V – I), focusing on the leading tone resolving to tonic.
- Add Am (IV): play Am – Bm – Em to hear predominant–dominant–tonic motion.
- Sing the key's scale, emphasizing degrees I, III and V — these are the anchor notes.
- Improvise a melody starting and ending on the tonic to reinforce the sense of center.
Keyboard Trainer
Reinforce it in practice — play and name notes on the interactive keyboard.