E major (E) chord on piano

Looking for the E chord on piano? It is a major triad, made of three notes: E – G♯ – B.

Root position: E4 – G♯4 – B4

What the E chord sounds like

A major triad sounds stable and bright: root, major third and perfect fifth. Most songs are built on major chords – in a major key, chords I, IV and V are all major.

Notes of the E chord

Degree	Note	Interval from the root
1	E	root
3	G♯	major third (4 semitones)
5	B	perfect fifth (7 semitones)

Root position and inversions

An inversion uses the same notes, with a different note at the bottom. When you change chords, choosing the nearest inversion keeps your hand almost still.

Root position

E4 – G♯4 – B4

1st inversion

G♯4 – B4 – E5

2nd inversion

B4 – E5 – G♯5

Which keys is it in?

The E chord is built from the notes of these keys (for minor keys, both the natural and the harmonic minor are considered):

E major: I (tonic)
A major: V (dominant)
B major: IV (subdominant)
A minor: V (dominant)
F♯ minor: VII
C♯ minor: III
G♯ minor: VI

Similar chords and substitutes

If E is too hard, or you want a different colour in the same spot, these chords are worth a try.

Substitutes (by function)

C♯m – relative minor: two shared notes, a common stand-in for the tonic
A♭m – mediant minor (iii): two shared notes
Emaj7 – a softer, jazzier tonic colour
Esus4 – suspended version that resolves back to this chord

Richer versions

E7 – the same chord plus 1 colour note
Emaj7 – the same chord plus 1 colour note
E6 – the same chord plus 1 colour note
Eadd9 – the same chord plus 1 colour note

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the E chord?

E, G♯, B. The root is E; the intervals of the other notes from the root: major third, perfect fifth.

How do I play the E chord on piano?

In root position, the right hand usually plays with fingers 1, 3 and 5 (thumb, middle finger, little finger); four-note chords with fingers 1, 2, 3 and 5. The left hand mirrors this: 5, 3, 1. In an inversion the top or bottom note moves to the other side, so your hand moves less when you change chords.

How is the E chord written?

The chord symbol is E, and its full name is E major.