Key

The key of E minor · 1 sharp: F♯

Minor keys sound darker and more serious. Songs in minor keys usually borrow a major V chord from the harmonic minor scale for a stronger pull home.

Relative major: G major — the same notes and key signature. Parallel major: E major. Scale: E minor scale.

Notes in the key

EF♯GABCD

Chords in E minor

One chord on each note of the scale. Roman numerals show each chord’s position — uppercase for major, lowercase for minor.

Left-handed

i Em

E G B

ii° F♯dim

F♯ A C

III G

G B D

iv Am

A C E

v Bm

B D F♯

VI C

C E G

VII D

D F♯ A

Borrowed from harmonic minor

Raising the 7th note turns v into a major V (and V7) — the chord that makes minor-key songs resolve so strongly.

V B

B D♯ F♯

V7 B7

B D♯ F♯ A

vii°7 D♯dim7

D♯ F♯ A C

Common progressions in E minor

The epic minor progression i–VI–III–VII Em – C – G – D The minor cadence i–iv–V–i Em – Am – B – Em The Andalusian cadence i–VII–VI–V Em – D – C – B

Circle of fifths

Each step clockwise adds a sharp (or removes a flat). Neighbors on the circle share all but one note, so E minor’s closest keys are right next to it — and its relative major sits on the outer ring. Click any key to open it.