Chords in the Key of E Major
The key of E major contains seven diatonic chords built from the notes E, F#, G#, A, B, C#, and D#. With four sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#), E major is the natural key of the guitar — the lowest open string is E. Blues, rock, and metal often center around this key for its deep, powerful resonance.
The 7 Triads in E Major
When you harmonize the E major scale in thirds, you get these seven triads. Each chord is built by stacking every other note from the scale:
| Degree | Roman Numeral | Chord | Notes | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | I | E major | E – G# – B | Major |
| 2nd | ii | F# minor | F# – A – C# | Minor |
| 3rd | iii | G# minor | G# – B – D# | Minor |
| 4th | IV | A major | A – C# – E | Major |
| 5th | V | B major | B – D# – F# | Major |
| 6th | vi | C# minor | C# – E – G# | Minor |
| 7th | vii° | D# diminished | D# – F# – A | Diminished |
Notice the pattern: Major – minor – minor – Major – Major – minor – diminished. This pattern is the same for every major key — only the root notes change. You can explore this pattern for any key using the E major scale harmonizer.
Seventh Chords in E Major
Adding a fourth note (the seventh) to each triad creates richer, more colorful chords. These are essential for jazz, R&B, neo-soul, and modern pop:
| Degree | Chord | Notes | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | Emaj7 | E – G# – B – D# | Major 7th |
| ii | F#m7 | F# – A – C# – E | Minor 7th |
| iii | G#m7 | G# – B – D# – F# | Minor 7th |
| IV | Amaj7 | A – C# – E – G# | Major 7th |
| V | B7 | B – D# – F# – A | Dominant 7th |
| vi | C#m7 | C# – E – G# – B | Minor 7th |
| vii | D#m7b5 | D# – F# – A – C# | Half-diminished |
Common Chord Progressions in E Major
These are the most popular progressions composers use in E major. You can hear and explore all of them in our chord progressions library:
I – V – vi – IV (E – B – C#m – A)
The most used progression in pop music, transposed to E major. The deep, resonant open E chord gives this progression a powerful foundation. The B major requires a barre chord, but the payoff is a rich, full-sounding progression with serious low-end weight.
I – IV – V (E – A – B)
The foundation of blues, rock, and country music. "Johnny B. Goode" (Chuck Berry) is the quintessential example — the open E and A chords drive the rhythm while B provides the dominant tension. This is the classic rock and roll progression.
vi – IV – I – V (C#m – A – E – B)
Starting on the vi chord gives a minor-key flavor while staying in E major. "Whole Lotta Love" (Led Zeppelin) demonstrates the raw power of E major in rock. The C#m adds darkness that contrasts with the bright resolution to E.
The E Major Scale on Guitar
All of these chords are derived from the E major scale. Understanding the scale helps you see why certain chords belong together and how to solo over them. Explore the full fretboard diagram:
- E Major scale — interactive fretboard diagram
- E Major harmonizer — all triads and 7th chords
- E Major arpeggio — fretboard positions
Tips for Composing in E Major
- Start with E and A — the open E and A chords are the most resonant shapes on guitar, giving you a powerful I-IV foundation with maximum low-end impact.
- Use the relative minor — C# minor shares the same notes as E major. Switching between E and C#m sections creates contrast without leaving the key.
- Add seventh chords to create sophistication. Replacing E with Emaj7 or C#m with C#m7 instantly adds a jazzy or dreamy quality.
- Exploit the low E string — both the lowest and highest open strings are E, giving you two octaves of the tonic note as open strings for powerful bass lines and shimmering treble.
- Explore arpeggios for melodic ideas. Playing the notes of each chord individually is a powerful way to create melodies that follow the harmony.
Ready to explore more keys? The same chord-building principles apply to every major scale. Use the scale harmonizer to discover the chords in any key.