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Circle of fifths

Key of E major

Key signature: 4 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯). Scale: E, F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯, D♯. Chords: E, F♯m, G♯m, A, B, C♯m, D♯dim.

Chords in E major

Each scale degree has a triad and a four-note seventh chord. Tap a chord for the guitar shape.

IEEmaj7iiF♯mF♯m7iiiG♯mG♯m7IVAAmaj7VBB7viC♯mC♯m7vii°D♯dimD♯m7b5

Capo tip: on guitar, put a capo on fret 2 and play the shapes of D major – then 3 of the main chords are easy open shapes (2 without a capo).

The E major scale

EIF♯iiG♯iiiAIVBVC♯viD♯vii°
E major scale on pianoEABEABC♯D♯F♯G♯C♯D♯F♯G♯
E major scale on the guitar fretboardEF♯G♯ABC♯D♯EABC♯D♯EF♯G♯AD♯EF♯G♯ABC♯G♯ABC♯D♯EF♯BC♯D♯EF♯G♯ABEF♯G♯ABC♯D♯E357912

Full scale page and other scales from this note →

Related keys

Relative minorC♯ minorsame key signatureParallel minorE minorsame tonicA fifth upB majorone more sharpA fifth downA majorone more flat

Common progressions in E major

ProgressionChordsGenerator
Pop progression (Axis)E – B – C♯m – AOpen in generator
Sensitive pop (vi–IV–I–V)C♯m – A – E – BOpen in generator
’50s progression (doo-wop)E – C♯m – A – BOpen in generator
Royal road (J-pop)Amaj7 – B7 – G♯m7 – C♯m7Open in generator
Canon progressionE – B – C♯m – G♯m – A – E – A – BOpen in generator
Circle-of-fifths progressionE – A – D♯dim – G♯m – C♯m – F♯m – B – EOpen in generator
Authentic cadence (I–IV–V–I)E – A – B – EOpen in generator
Folk and countryE – E – A – E – E – A – B – EOpen in generator
ii–V–I (jazz)F♯m7 – B7 – Emaj7 – Emaj7Open in generator
Turnaround (I–vi–ii–V)Emaj7 – C♯m7 – F♯m7 – B7Open in generator
12-bar bluesE7 – E7 – E7 – E7 – A7 – A7 – E7 – E7 – B7 – A7 – E7 – B7Open in generator
12-bar blues, quick changeE7 – A7 – E7 – E7 – A7 – A7 – E7 – E7 – B7 – A7 – E7 – B7Open in generator
Three-chord punkE5 – E5 – A5 – B5Open in generator
Mixolydian rock (I–♭VII–IV)E – D – A – EOpen in generator
♭VI–♭VII–I (victory cadence)E – C – D – EOpen in generator
Major-to-minor IV (I–iii–IV–iv)E – G♯m – A – AmOpen in generator

Major keys

Minor keys

Frequently asked questions

How many sharps or flats are in E major?

E major has 4 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯). Its relative minor is C♯ minor, with the same key signature.

What chords are in the key of E major?

The triads built on the scale degrees: E, F♯m, G♯m, A, B, C♯m, D♯dim. The main chords used most often: E, A, B, C♯m.

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Photos: Isak Photography, 42 North, Rachel Loughman, Vitaly Gariev, Vitaly Gariev, Isaac Martin / Unsplash