E Minor Pentatonic Scale on Guitar: Notes, Shapes and Positions

The E minor pentatonic scale is E, G, A, B and D. Its formula is 1 ♭3 4 5 ♭7. Start with the root on the low E string at the open string or the 12th fret, then learn the five positions below, from the Dm shape at the 2nd fret up the neck.

Keys

E Minor Pentatonic Scale: 5 Positions

4Cm shape
7Am shape
9Dm shape
12Em shape
2Dm shape

CAGED Chords — Em

4C shape
7A shape
9G shape
12E shape
2D shape

Triads — Em

Root position

4C shape
7A shape
9G shape
12E shape

Notes and formula

Degree1♭345♭7
NoteEGABD

E minor pentatonic takes five notes from E minor and leaves out F♯ and C, the 2nd and ♭6th. With no half steps between neighbouring notes, it is hard to land on a note that clashes with the chords of the key.

The E minor pentatonic scale across the whole neck

Every E minor pentatonic scale note from the nut to the 15th fret: E (root) on the low E string, fret 0; G on the low E string, fret 3; A on the low E string, fret 5; B on the low E string, fret 7; D on the low E string, fret 10; E (root) on the low E string, fret 12; G on the low E string, fret 15; A on the A string, fret 0; B on the A string, fret 2; D on the A string, fret 5; E (root) on the A string, fret 7; G on the A string, fret 10; A on the A string, fret 12; B on the A string, fret 14; D on the D string, fret 0; E (root) on the D string, fret 2; G on the D string, fret 5; A on the D string, fret 7; B on the D string, fret 9; D on the D string, fret 12; E (root) on the D string, fret 14; G on the G string, fret 0; A on the G string, fret 2; B on the G string, fret 4; D on the G string, fret 7; E (root) on the G string, fret 9; G on the G string, fret 12; A on the G string, fret 14; B on the B string, fret 0; D on the B string, fret 3; E (root) on the B string, fret 5; G on the B string, fret 8; A on the B string, fret 10; B on the B string, fret 12; D on the B string, fret 15; E (root) on the high e string, fret 0; G on the high e string, fret 3; A on the high e string, fret 5; B on the high e string, fret 7; D on the high e string, fret 10; E (root) on the high e string, fret 12; G on the high e string, fret 15.

E Minor Pentatonic scale, frets 0–15. Roots (E) in green.

The root, E, sits on the low E string open and at fret 12 and on the A string at fret 7. Those are the anchors every position is built around.

All six open strings are notes of E minor pentatonic, so open strings ring true anywhere in the key.

Position by position: Dm shape from the 2nd fret; Cm shape from the 4th fret; Am shape from the 7th fret; Dm shape from the 9th fret; Em shape from the 12th fret. The Em shape is shown at the 12th fret; it also works twelve frets lower, in open position.

What to play E minor pentatonic over

Play it over Em chords, a minor-key progression in E, or an E blues. Its five notes are also G major pentatonic, so the same shapes work over G major with G as home.

Add the ♭5, B♭, and it becomes the E blues scale.

The nearest keys are a fifth away: B minor pentatonic differs by one note: F♯ instead of G; A minor pentatonic differs by one note: C instead of B.

To learn it, play the Dm shape from the 2nd fret slowly, saying each note name, then link it to the next position up. Land on E at the end of each run, and you'll hear the scale settle on its root.

E Minor Pentatonic scale FAQs

Which notes make up the E minor pentatonic scale?

E, G, A, B and D. The formula is 1 ♭3 4 5 ♭7.

Which scale has the same notes as E minor pentatonic?

G major pentatonic. The five notes are identical; only the root changes.

Where do I play the E minor pentatonic scale on guitar?

Start from the root on the low E string at the open string. The Dm shape from the 2nd fret is the lowest of the five positions, and the other four continue up the neck to the 12th fret and beyond.

Learn more

The pentatonic scale on guitar explains how the scale is built and how to use it, and the pentatonic scale guitar lessons set out what to learn next. The scale library has every scale in every key.