E Minor Six Pentatonic Ukulele Scale
Ukulele scale — fretboard diagram
E Minor Six Pentatonic Scale — Notes and Intervals
The E Minor Six Pentatonic scale is a variation of the minor pentatonic that introduces a major sixth, giving it a Dorian flavor. On Ukulele, the notes are E, G, A, B, C#. It is more sophisticated and soulful than the standard minor pentatonic and is frequently used in jazz and fusion to outline minor chords with a brighter edge. Commonly used in Jazz, Fusion, Neo-Soul, R&B. Notable players include Wes Montgomery, George Benson, Erykah Badu. Use over m6, m7, mMaj7 chords. Adds a jazz sophistication to minor chord soloing without fully committing to a 7-note scale.
Notes: E, G, A, B, C#
Intervals: 1P, 3m, 4P, 5P, 6M
Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 5
Formula: WH-W-W-W-WH
Number of notes: 5
How to Play E Minor Six Pentatonic on Ukulele
On ukulele, find E on the fret 4 area, and work through the scale within a four-fret span. With 5 notes, this scale fits neatly on the ukulele's short fretboard without requiring large stretches.
The E Minor Six Pentatonic scale contains 1 sharp (C#). This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.
Practice Routine
Set a metronome to 80 BPM and play the E Minor Six Pentatonic scale in groups of four notes, shifting the starting note each repetition. This builds muscle memory across the entire scale range. After a week, try improvising short 4-bar phrases using only these notes.
This scale works well over simple power chord progressions or a 12-bar blues in E. Try a E5 - B5 - C#5 progression.
Ukulele Tips
The compact fretboard of the ukulele makes the E Minor Six Pentatonic scale easy to visualize in a single position. Use this to your advantage by memorizing the scale shape relative to chord shapes you already know.
The E Minor Six Pentatonic scale contains 5 notes (E, G, A, B, C#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Ukulele with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for E Minor Six Pentatonic
The E Minor Six Pentatonic scale can be played in 5 CAGED positions across the fretboard, each based on an open chord shape (C, A, G, E, D). As a 5-note pentatonic scale, 2-notes-per-string patterns are the most ergonomic way to traverse the fretboard. Use the pattern selector above to isolate each position.
Explore E Minor Six Pentatonic Further
- Harmonize the E Minor Six Pentatonic scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- E Minor Six Pentatonic on Guitar
- E Minor Six Pentatonic on Bass
- E Minor Six Pentatonic on Piano