E Aeolian at a glance
Aeolian is just natural minor under a different name. It dominates pop, rock and folk in minor keys. Reach for it any time you want a warm, melancholic mood. Built on the root E, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where E is a comfortable tonal centre.
| Notes | E F♯ G A B C D |
|---|---|
| Formula | 1P · 2M · 3m · 4P · 5P · 6m · 7m |
| Step pattern | W H W W H W W |
| Chords in the key | EmF♯°GAmBmCD |
Chords in the E Aeolian scale
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
E Aeolian on the piano
Improvisation drone · E
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
On the piano E Aeolian uses one black key (F♯) and six white.
E · F♯ · G · A · B · C · D
Try E Aeolian on the virtual piano
Free, in your browser: play with the mouse, your computer keyboard or a USB MIDI keyboard. No sign-up.
E Aeolian on the guitar
E Aeolian - fr 0–12
E Aeolian on the staff
Notes of the E Aeolian scale
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | E | unison1P | 0 | |
| 2 | F♯ | major 2nd2M | 2 | |
| 3 | G | minor 3rd3m | 3 | |
| 4 | A | perfect 4th4P | 5 | |
| 5 | B | perfect 5th5P | 7 | |
| 6 | C | minor 6th6m | 8 | |
| 7 | D | minor 7th7m | 10 |
What makes E Aeolian different
Aeolian is the modal name for natural minor: same notes, same intervals. It's the sixth mode of the major scale, so it shares its notes with the major scale a minor third above its root. Two notes place it among its neighbours: the minor sixth separates it from Dorian, and the major second separates it from Phrygian. Its i, iv and v chords are all minor, with major chords on ♭III, ♭VI and ♭VII, the set behind the ♭VI, ♭VII, i cadence of rock and film music. On E, E Aeolian has C where E Dorian has C♯; every other note is shared with E Dorian (E F♯ G A B C♯ D).
Modes from E Aeolian
Each note of this scale produces a different mode with its own character.
How to use the E Aeolian scale
The diatonic chords of E Aeolian are: i = Em, ii° = F♯°, III = G, iv = Am, v = Bm, VI = C, VII = D. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in E Aeolian. Each one in the chord table on this page opens its own diagram and progressions.
Aeolian is just natural minor under a different name. It dominates pop, rock and folk in minor keys. Reach for it any time you want a warm, melancholic mood.
Practice tips
Treat aeolian as natural minor for practice purposes. Compare it to its relative major to lock in the position relationships.
Formula & step pattern
The E Aeolian scale follows the natural minor pattern (W-H-W-W-H-W-W), identical to the natural minor scale. Step pattern: W - H - W - W - H - W - W. Intervals from the root: 1P · 2M · 3m · 4P · 5P · 6m · 7m. Memorising the formula lets you transpose the scale to any other root note quickly.
Where you will hear E Aeolian
Start with the music described above: listen for E Aeolian in it and transcribe a few short phrases by ear. It's the quickest way to learn how the scale sounds.
Questions people ask
What notes are in the E Aeolian scale?
The E Aeolian scale contains E, F♯, G, A, B, C and D.
What is the formula for the E Aeolian scale?
E Aeolian follows the natural minor pattern (W-H-W-W-H-W-W), identical to the natural minor scale.
Is E Aeolian a major or minor scale?
E Aeolian is a aeolian scale. Identical to natural minor - the classic minor mode of the Western system.
What chords belong to the E Aeolian scale?
The diatonic chords of E Aeolian are Em, F♯°, G, Am, Bm, C, D.
Which genres use E Aeolian?
Aeolian is just natural minor under a different name. It dominates pop, rock and folk in minor keys. Reach for it any time you want a warm, melancholic mood.
How do you play the E Aeolian scale on the piano?
On the piano E Aeolian uses one black key (F♯) and six white.
What is the difference between E Aeolian and E Dorian?
On E, E Aeolian has C where E Dorian has C♯; every other note is shared with E Dorian (E F♯ G A B C♯ D).
What is the relative key of E Aeolian?
The relative key of E Aeolian is G Major. It uses the same notes (G A B C D E F♯) starting from G, so the two share a key signature.
How do I practise the E Aeolian scale?
Treat aeolian as natural minor for practice purposes. Compare it to its relative major to lock in the position relationships.