E major chord (E)
The E major chord (E) is a major triad made of E, G♯ and B: root, major third and perfect fifth.
It is the I in E major and the IV in B major; its relative minor is C♯ minor, and B dominant seventh leads into it as its V7.
Below: voicings, notes on the fretboard, ukulele, piano, inversions and progressions.
How to play E major on guitar
There are 3 guitar voicings.
Frets from the 6th string to the 1st: x = not played, 0 = open string.
- Voicing 1: 0-2-2-1-0-0, open position, with E in the bass (fingers 0-2-3-1-0-0).
- Voicing 2: x-7-9-9-9-7, barre at fret 7, with E in the bass (fingers x-1-3-3-3-1).
- Voicing 3: 12-14-14-13-12-12, movable E-shape barre chord at fret 12, with E in the bass.
Notes of the E major chord on the fretboard
E major has 3 notes: E, G♯ and B. This is where they fall on each string, from the nut to the 12th fret (fret number in parentheses):
- String 6 (E): E (0) · G♯ (4) · B (7) · E (12)
- String 5 (A): B (2) · E (7) · G♯ (11)
- String 4 (D): E (2) · G♯ (6) · B (9)
- String 3 (G): G♯ (1) · B (4) · E (9)
- String 2 (B): B (0) · E (5) · G♯ (9) · B (12)
- String 1 (E): E (0) · G♯ (4) · B (7) · E (12)
Formula and intervals of E major
Its formula is 1-3-5; in semitones from the root, 0-4-7.
- E: Root, the note that gives the chord its name
- G♯: Major third (M3), 4 semitones above E
- B: Perfect fifth (P5), 7 semitones above E
E major on ukulele
- Ukulele (G C E A): 1-4-0-2; it sounds G♯, E, E and B.
E major on piano
- Keys: E4, G♯4 and B4.
Inversions of E major
Each inversion puts a different note in the bass.
- Root position: E, G♯ and B, with E in the bass.
- First inversion (E/G♯): G♯, B and E, with G♯ in the bass.
- Second inversion (E/B): B, E and G♯, with B in the bass.
Keys that use E major
E major appears in 7 major and minor keys.
| Key | Degree | Function |
|---|---|---|
| E major (4 sharps) | I | Tonic |
| B major (5 sharps) | IV | Subdominant |
| A major (3 sharps) | V | Dominant |
| C♯ minor (4 sharps) | III | Mediant |
| G♯ minor (5 sharps) | VI | Submediant |
| F♯ minor (3 sharps) | VII | Subtonic |
| A minor (harmonic minor, no sharps or flats) | V | Dominant |
Progressions with E major
- Pop progression in E major (I–V–vi–IV): E – B – C♯m – A
- Pop progression starting on vi in E major (vi–IV–I–V): C♯m – A – E – B
- Three-chord progression in E major (I–IV–V): E – A – B
- Turnaround in E major (I–vi–ii–V): E – C♯m – F♯m – B
- Minor pop progression in G♯ minor (i–VI–III–VII): G♯m – E – B – F♯
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the E major chord?
E, G♯ and B: root, major third and perfect fifth. Its formula is 1-3-5.
Which keys use E major?
Mainly as the I in E major and the IV in B major. In total it appears in 7 major and minor keys.
What is the relative minor of E major?
C♯ minor. E major and C♯ minor are the tonic chords of two relative keys, which share the same key signature and the same scale notes.