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Kitpebble
Scales

E major scale

The E major scale notes: E – F♯ – G♯ – A – B – C♯ – D♯. Whole–whole–half–whole–whole–whole–half. The basis of most children's songs, folk tunes and pop melodies.

Notes and steps

E1F♯2G♯3A4B5C♯6D♯7

Steps: W – W – H – W – W – W – H · W = whole step, H = half step

E major scale on guitar

Standard tuning, frets 0–12. Filled circles are the root.

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

E major scale on piano

E major scale on the piano keyboardEABEABC♯D♯F♯G♯C♯D♯F♯G♯

Chords in this scale

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

Other scales from E

The same scale from other notes

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the E major scale?

E, F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯, D♯. Step formula: W–W–H–W–W–W–H (W = whole step, H = half step).

How do I practise it on guitar?

Every circle on the fretboard is a note of the scale up to fret 12; the filled circles mark the root (E). Start in one position (within 4–5 frets), root to root, slowly, with a metronome.

Which chords go with it?

The chords built on its degrees: E, F♯m, G♯m, A, B, C♯m, D♯dim. More in the key of E major.

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