E minor scale on piano - notes, fingering and chords

How to play the E minor scale

Right hand: start on E with finger 1, then tuck your thumb under to play A.

Left hand: start on E with finger 5, then cross finger 3 over your thumb to play C.

Coming down, use the same fingers in reverse order. Start with each hand alone at a slow tempo, and play hands together only once both feel even.

Most music in E minor uses B ( B D♯ F♯) for the V chord instead, borrowed from the harmonic minor. Its raised note pulls strongly back to E.

Natural minor: E F♯ G A B C D E. Uses only the notes of the key signature, the same notes as its relative major.

Harmonic minor: E F♯ G A B C D♯ E. Raises the 7th note by a half step, which gives the scale its strong pull back to the tonic.

Melodic minor: E F♯ G A B C♯ D♯ E. Raises the 6th and 7th going up, then comes down as the natural minor.