E Major at a glance
The major scale is where Western music starts. You'll hear it everywhere - pop hits, classical symphonies, hymns, country ballads, anything that wants to sound bright, hopeful, or triumphant. Built on the root E, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where E is a comfortable tonal centre.
| Notes | E F♯ G♯ A B C♯ D♯ |
|---|---|
| Formula | 1P · 2M · 3M · 4P · 5P · 6M · 7M |
| Step pattern | W W H W W W H |
| Key signature | 4 sharps: F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯ |
| Relative key | C♯ Natural Minor |
| Chords in the key | EF♯mG♯mABC♯mD♯° |
Chords in the E Major scale
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
E Major on the piano
Improvisation drone · E
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
On the piano E Major uses four black keys (F♯, G♯, C♯ and D♯) and three white. Fingering for one octave going up: right hand 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5, the thumb passing under after G♯; left hand 5 4 3 2 1 3 2 1, the third finger crossing over after B.
E · F♯ · G♯ · A · B · C♯ · D♯
Try E Major on the virtual piano
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E Major on the guitar
E Major - fr 0–12
E Major on the staff
Notes of the E Major scale
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | E | unison1P | 0 | |
| 2 | F♯ | major 2nd2M | 2 | |
| 3 | G♯ | major 3rd3M | 4 | |
| 4 | A | perfect 4th4P | 5 | |
| 5 | B | perfect 5th5P | 7 | |
| 6 | C♯ | major 6th6M | 9 | |
| 7 | D♯ | major 7th7M | 11 |
What makes E Major different
The major scale is the yardstick for every other scale on this site: when a formula says 1 2 3 4 5 6 7, it means these intervals. Its fingerprint is two half steps, between 3 and 4 and between 7 and the octave, so the seventh is a leading tone that pulls up into the tonic. The major third over the root separates it from every minor scale, and the natural fourth and major seventh separate it from Lydian and Mixolydian, its two closest neighbours. With major chords on I, IV and V, it has the most settled harmony of any scale here. On E, E Major has G♯ where E Natural Minor has G, C♯ where E Natural Minor has C and D♯ where E Natural Minor has D; every other note is shared with E Natural Minor (E F♯ G A B C D).
Modes from E Major
Each note of this scale produces a different mode with its own character.
How to use the E Major scale
The diatonic chords of E Major are: I = E, ii = F♯m, iii = G♯m, IV = A, V = B, vi = C♯m, vii° = D♯°. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in E Major. Each one in the chord table on this page opens its own diagram and progressions.
The major scale is where Western music starts. You'll hear it everywhere - pop hits, classical symphonies, hymns, country ballads, anything that wants to sound bright, hopeful, or triumphant.
Practice tips
Run the major scale through one octave with strict alternate-picking or alternating fingers. Then sing each degree with solfège (do-re-mi-fa-sol-la-ti-do) to get the sound in your head.
Formula & step pattern
The E Major scale follows the W-W-H-W-W-W-H pattern of whole and half steps. Step pattern: W - W - H - W - W - W - H. Intervals from the root: 1P · 2M · 3M · 4P · 5P · 6M · 7M. Memorising the formula lets you transpose the scale to any other root note quickly.
Famous songs in E Major
These well-known tracks all use the E Major scale.
- 01Don't Stop Believin'Journey
- 02Hey, Soul SisterTrain
Questions people ask
What notes are in the E Major scale?
The E Major scale contains E, F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯ and D♯.
What is the formula for the E Major scale?
E Major follows the W-W-H-W-W-W-H pattern of whole and half steps.
Is E Major a major or minor scale?
E Major is a major scale. Bright, stable and resolved. The starting point of Western tonal music.
What chords belong to the E Major scale?
The diatonic chords of E Major are E, F♯m, G♯m, A, B, C♯m, D♯°.
Which genres use E Major?
The major scale is where Western music starts. You'll hear it everywhere - pop hits, classical symphonies, hymns, country ballads, anything that wants to sound bright, hopeful, or triumphant.
How do you play the E Major scale on the piano?
On the piano E Major uses four black keys (F♯, G♯, C♯ and D♯) and three white. Fingering for one octave going up: right hand 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5, the thumb passing under after G♯; left hand 5 4 3 2 1 3 2 1, the third finger crossing over after B.
What is the difference between E Major and E Natural Minor?
On E, E Major has G♯ where E Natural Minor has G, C♯ where E Natural Minor has C and D♯ where E Natural Minor has D; every other note is shared with E Natural Minor (E F♯ G A B C D).
What is the relative key of E Major?
The relative key of E Major is C♯ Natural Minor. It uses the same notes (C♯ D♯ E F♯ G♯ A B) starting from C♯, so the two share a key signature.
What is the parallel key of E Major?
The parallel key of E Major is E Natural Minor: the same tonic, E, with the notes E F♯ G A B C D.
How do I practise the E Major scale?
Run the major scale through one octave with strict alternate-picking or alternating fingers. Then sing each degree with solfège (do-re-mi-fa-sol-la-ti-do) to get the sound in your head.