Chords in the key of E major
The key of E major has the notes E, F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯, and D♯ and the chords E, F♯m, G♯m, A, B, C♯m, and D♯°. As seventh chords: E7M, F♯m7, G♯m7, A7M, B7, C♯m7, and D♯m7(♭5). Key signature: 4 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯). Relative minor: C sharp minor.
- E
- F♯
- G♯
- A
- B
- C♯
- D♯
Chords in E major
| Degree | Triad | Seventh chord | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | E | E7M | tonic |
| ii | F♯m | F♯m7 | subdominant |
| iii | G♯m | G♯m7 | tonic |
| IV | A | A7M | subdominant |
| V | B | B7 | dominant |
| vi | C♯m | C♯m7 | tonic |
| vii° | D♯° | D♯m7(♭5) | dominant |
Each chord in the table opens its guitar page, with the diagram and the sound.
The chords of E major on the piano
What each chord does
Tonic (E, G♯m, and C♯m) feels at rest; subdominant (F♯m and A) moves away from home; dominant (B and D♯°) builds tension and wants to go back to E.
Common progressions in E major
Listen to each one and open it in the backing track to play along.
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The pop progression
I–V–vi–IVThe most used sequence in pop and country: it works under almost any melody.
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50s progression
I–vi–IV–VThe "doo-wop": from 1950s ballads to today's romantic pop.
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Jazz IIm–V–I
ii7–V7–Imaj7The most important cadence in jazz and bossa nova.
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The three chords
I–IV–VI–IV–V: the foundation of rock, blues, country and folk.
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Sentimental pop
vi–IV–I–VThe pop progression starting on the relative minor: emotional, chorus-ready.
Relative and parallel keys
Relative minor: C sharp minor. Both scales have the same notes and the same key signature (4 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯)).
Parallel key: E minor, with the same tonic and the other mode. Switching between them mid-song changes the mood without moving the home note.
Neighbours on the circle of fifths: A major (a fifth below) and B major (a fifth above). Modulating to them sounds natural.
Circle of fifths
E major is highlighted. Clockwise, each step goes up a fifth and adds a sharp; counter-clockwise, a flat. The relative minors are on the inside. Tap a key to see its chords.
Scales and tools for E major
Chords in other keys
Major keys
Minor keys
Frequently asked questions
What chords are in the key of E major?
E, F♯m, G♯m, A, B, C♯m, and D♯°. As seventh chords: E7M, F♯m7, G♯m7, A7M, B7, C♯m7, and D♯m7(♭5).
What is the relative of E major?
C sharp minor. Both scales have the same notes and the same key signature: 4 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯).
What is the key signature of E major?
E major has 4 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯) in its key signature.
What is the dominant chord in E major?
It is B (or B7 with the seventh), the V chord. It builds tension and resolves to E, the tonic.
What chord progressions work in E major?
The most common: I–V–vi–IV: E B C♯m A; I–vi–IV–V: E C♯m A B; ii7–V7–Imaj7: F♯m7 B7 E7M; I–IV–V: E A B; vi–IV–I–V: C♯m A E B.