(Ghost) Riders In The Sky by Riders In The Sky runs at 121 BPM in the key of E Minor. That Camelot code of – makes it easy to find tracks that blend seamlessly with it. Scroll down for the full chord palette, scale breakdown, and raga mapping for this key.
Scale & Notes of E Minor
The E Minor scale is built from these seven notes:
EF#GABCD
Its relative key is G Major (same notes), and its parallel key is E Major. If you're transposing or looking for a vocal-comfortable key, those are the natural neighbours.
Chords in E Minor
The seven diatonic triads in this key — the chord palette most of the song will draw from:
| Degree | Chord | Quality |
|---|
| i | Em | Minor |
| ii° | F#dim | Diminished |
| III | G | Major |
| iv | Am | Minor |
| v | Bm | Minor |
| VI | C | Major |
| VII | D | Major |
Indian Classical: the Asavari thaat
In Hindustani classical terms, E Minor maps to the Asavari thaat (Western mode: Aeolian (Natural Minor)). Natural minor scale — identical to the Western Aeolian mode. Melancholic, serious character. Traditional listening time: Morning.
If you want to sing or practise in this key, set your tonic (Sa) to E. Ragas built on this thaat:
- Asavari — Natural minor — ♭3 ♭6 ♭7, complete 7-note scale. Serious, pensive (Morning).
- Jaunpuri — Natural minor with omitted notes in ascent. Melancholic, restrained (Morning).
- Desi — Natural minor with vakra (zigzag) movement. Folk-like, earthy.
- Komal Rishabh Asavari — Natural minor ♭2 — adds Phrygian flavour to minor. Deep, austere.
- Komal Re Asavari — Natural minor ♭2 variant. Solemn, morning.
Set Tanpura to E →Practise in this key →Find another song's key →
Harmonic mixing (for DJs)
(Ghost) Riders In The Sky sits at Camelot –. For a smooth harmonic transition, mix it with tracks in 8A, 9B, 10A — adjacent keys on the Camelot wheel that share most of their notes.