E minor

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E minor
Image:G_Major_key_signature.png
Relative key G major
Parallel key E major
Enharmonic
Component pitches
E, F♯, G, A, B, C, D, E
Also see: E major, or E-flat minor.

E minor (Em, Mim) is a musical minor scale based on the note E, consisting of the pitches E, F♯, G, A, B, C, and D. The harmonic minor scale contains a D♯. Its key signature has one sharp, F (see below: Scales and keys).

Its relative major is G major, and its parallel major is E major.

Changes needed for the melodic and harmonic versions of the scale are written in with accidentals as necessary.

A lot of the classical acoustic guitar repertoire is in E minor, as this is a very characteristic key for the instrument. With the standard tuning, four of the instrument's six strings open are part of the tonic chord.

[edit] Well-known classical compositions in this key

See also: list of symphonies in E minor

[edit] Well-known contemporary music in this key

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[edit] Scales and keys

v • d • e
Diatonic Scales and Keys
Circle of fifths
flats sharps
major minor major minor
0 C, a
1 F d G e
2 B♭ g D b
3 E♭ c A f♯
4 A♭ f E c♯
5 D♭ b♭ B g♯
6 G♭ e♭ F♯ d♯
7 C♭ a♭ C♯ a♯
lower case letters are minor
the table indicates the number of sharps or flats in each scale