E Major: Scale, Chords and Progressions

Chords in the key of E major

The key of E major has 4 sharps in the key signature (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯). Its scale is E – F♯ – G♯ – A – B – C♯ – D♯ and its seven chords are E, F♯m, G♯m, A, B, C♯m and D♯dim. The most common progression is E – B – C♯m – A. Its relative key is C sharp minor. With a capo on fret 2, you can play it with the shapes of D major.

The chords in the key

E is home; A and B create the movement and tension that lead back to it, and C♯m adds the minor colour. The four-note versions add the seventh.

Degree	Chord	Notes	Role	With seventh
I	E	E – G♯ – B	Tonic: home	Emaj7
ii	F♯m	F♯ – A – C♯	Subdominant	F♯m7
iii	G♯m	G♯ – B – D♯	Tonic substitute	G♯m7
IV	A	A – C♯ – E	Subdominant	Amaj7
V	B	B – D♯ – F♯	Dominant: tension	B7
vi	C♯m	C♯ – E – G♯	Relative tonic	C♯m7
vii°	D♯dim	D♯ – F♯ – A	Dominant (leading tone)	—

Scale

E – F♯ – G♯ – A – B – C♯ – D♯

With a capo

To make a song sound in E major with easy open shapes:

Capo on fret 2: play the shapes of D major
Capo on fret 4: play the shapes of C major
Capo on fret 7: play the shapes of A major

Common progressions

Loop them in the chord player and use them as the base of a song.

E – B – C♯m – A I – V – vi – IV Play in the chord player
E – C♯m – A – B I – vi – IV – V Play in the chord player
F♯m7 – B7 – Emaj7 – Emaj7 ii7 – V7 – Imaj7 – Imaj7 Play in the chord player
E – A – B – E I – IV – V – I Play in the chord player

Frequently asked questions

What chords are in the key of E major?

Its seven chords are E, F♯m, G♯m, A, B, C♯m and D♯dim.

How many sharps or flats does E major have?

It has 4 sharps in the key signature (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯).

What is the relative key of E major?

Its relative key is C sharp minor: they share the same notes and chords.