E minor chords, relative major and Camelot code (9A)
E minor has 1 sharp (F♯). Its chords are Em, F♯°, G, Am, Bm, C and D. The relative major is G major and the Camelot code is 9A, so it mixes cleanly with 8A, 10A and 9B.
Notes in the E minor scale
E minor has 1 sharp (F♯).
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E | F♯ | G | A | B | C | D |
Chords in E minor
Stack every other note of the scale on each degree and you get the seven chords that belong to the key:
| Degree | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| i | Em | E · G · B |
| ii° | F♯° | 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 |
In practice most songs in E minor swap the minor v for B. Raising the seventh note (D to D♯) gives a leading note that pulls back to E, so B to Em sounds like arriving home.
Common progressions in E minor
- Em – C – G – D (i–VI–III–VII): the minor-key pop and trap loop.
- Em – Am – Bm (i–iv–v): the plain minor blues shape.
- Em – D – C – B (i–VII–VI–V): the descending Andalusian cadence, with a major V.
- Em – Am – D – G (i–iv–VII–III): a common lo-fi and R&B cycle.
Keys that mix with E minor
E minor is 9A on the Camelot wheel. For a clean blend, go to a key next to it:
| Camelot | Key | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| 8A | A minor | One step round the wheel: shares six of its seven notes |
| 10A | B minor | One step the other way: also shares six of seven notes |
| 9B | G major | The relative major: exactly the same notes |
How the wheel works is in the Camelot wheel explained, and how to use it in a set is in harmonic mixing for DJs.
Relative and parallel keys
The relative major, G major, uses exactly the same notes with a different home chord. The parallel major, E major, keeps E as home but changes three notes. More on the difference in relative major and minor keys.
Questions people ask
What chords are in E minor?
Em (i), F♯° (ii°), G (III), Am (iv), Bm (v), C (VI) and D (VII).
What is the relative major of E minor?
G major. It uses the same 7 notes, E, F♯, G, A, B, C, D, but centres on G instead of E.
What is the Camelot code for E minor?
9A. In Open Key notation it is 2m.
What keys mix well with E minor?
A minor (8A), B minor (10A) and G major (9B). They sit next to 9A on the Camelot wheel.
How many sharps or flats does E minor have?
1 sharp (F♯).