Understanding the chords in the E major scale is a foundational step for any guitarist looking to expand their musical knowledge and songwriting abilities. The key of E major is a bright and resonant key, frequently used in popular music across genres. This guide will break down the chords in E major, providing you with a handy chord chart, common chord progressions, and a clear explanation of the music theory behind them. Whether you’re a beginner just learning your first chords or an experienced player seeking to deepen your understanding, mastering the chords in the key of E major is an invaluable skill.
E Major Chord Chart for Guitar
Just like any major scale, the E major scale naturally contains seven notes, and each of these notes forms the root of a chord within the key. These chords follow a predictable pattern of major and minor qualities, which is essential to grasp for understanding harmony. Here’s a quick reference chart showing the chords in the key of E major:
| Degree | I | ii | iii | IV | V | vi | vii° |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chord | E Major | F# minor | G# minor | A Major | B Major | C# minor | D# dim |
| Chart |
Key Pattern to Remember: In any major key, the sequence of chord qualities always follows this pattern: Major (I), minor (ii), minor (iii), Major (IV), Major (V), minor (vi), and diminished (vii°). Understanding this pattern allows you to quickly determine the chords in any major key, just by knowing the major scale.
Popular Chord Progressions in E Major
Knowing the chords in E major is only the first step. To make music, you need to understand how these chords work together in progressions. Chord progressions are the backbone of songs, creating harmonic movement and emotional depth. Here are some of the most common and effective chord progressions you can play in the key of E major:
| Progression | Chords |
|---|---|
| I-IV-V | E-A-B |
| I-IV-I-V | E-A-E-B |
| I-V-vi-IV | E-B-C#m-A |
| I-ii-IV-V | E-F#m-A-B |
| I-vi-ii-V | E-C#m-F#m-B |
| I-vi-IV-V | E-C#m-A-B |
These progressions are incredibly versatile and have been used in countless songs across various musical styles. Experiment with these progressions to write your own songs or learn to play some of your favorite tunes!
The Theory Behind the Chords in E Major
To truly master the chords in E major, it’s crucial to understand the theory that dictates why these specific chords are formed. It all starts with the E major scale.
The E Major Scale Notes and Degrees
The E major scale consists of seven notes, each a specific interval apart, creating the characteristic major scale sound. Here are the notes of the E major scale and their corresponding scale degrees:
| Degree: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 (Octave) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note: | E | F# | G# | A | B | C# | D# | E |
Each degree of this scale becomes the root of a chord in the key of E major. But how do we determine whether each chord is major, minor, or diminished? This comes down to understanding triads.
Building Triads: Major, Minor, and Diminished
Chords are built using triads, which are three-note structures. We’ll focus on three types of triads:
- Major Triad: Formed by the 1st, 3rd, and 5th degrees of a major scale. This creates a major chord.
- Minor Triad: Formed by the 1st, flattened 3rd (b3), and 5th degrees of a major scale. This creates a minor chord.
- Diminished Triad: Formed by the 1st, flattened 3rd (b3), and flattened 5th (b5) degrees of a major scale. This creates a diminished chord.
To figure out the chords in the key of E major, we build a triad on each note of the E major scale, always using notes within the E major scale. If a note in our triad falls outside the E major scale, we need to adjust it (usually by flattening) to bring it back into the key.
Deriving Each Chord in the Key of E
Let’s walk through each scale degree of the E major scale and derive the corresponding chord:
-
I – E Major:
- Root Note: E
- Major Triad Formula: 1, 3, 5 of the E major scale.
- Notes: E (1), G# (3), B (5).
- Result: E Major Chord. All notes are in the E major scale.
-
ii – F# minor:
- Root Note: F#
- Major Triad Formula: 1, 3, 5 of the F# major scale would be F#, A#, C#.
- However, A# is not in the E major scale. We need to flatten the 3rd to A natural to stay within the key of E.
- Minor Triad Formula: 1, b3, 5.
- Notes: F# (1), A (b3), C# (5).
- Result: F# minor Chord. All notes are in the E major scale.
-
iii – G# minor:
- Root Note: G#
- Major Triad Formula: 1, 3, 5 of the G# major scale would be G#, B#, D#.
- B# is not in the E major scale. Flatten the 3rd to B natural.
- Minor Triad Formula: 1, b3, 5.
- Notes: G# (1), B (b3), D# (5).
- Result: G# minor Chord. All notes are in the E major scale.
-
IV – A Major:
- Root Note: A
- Major Triad Formula: 1, 3, 5 of the A major scale.
- Notes: A (1), C# (3), E (5).
- Result: A Major Chord. All notes are in the E major scale.
-
V – B Major:
- Root Note: B
- Major Triad Formula: 1, 3, 5 of the B major scale.
- Notes: B (1), D# (3), F# (5).
- Result: B Major Chord. All notes are in the E major scale.
-
vi – C# minor:
- Root Note: C#
- Major Triad Formula: 1, 3, 5 of the C# major scale would be C#, E#, G#.
- E# is not in the E major scale. Flatten the 3rd to E natural.
- Minor Triad Formula: 1, b3, 5.
- Notes: C# (1), E (b3), G# (5).
- Result: C# minor Chord. All notes are in the E major scale.
-
vii° – D# diminished:
- Root Note: D#
- Major Triad Formula: 1, 3, 5 of the D# major scale would be D#, F##, A#.
- Neither F## nor A# are in the E major scale. We need to flatten both the 3rd and 5th.
- Diminished Triad Formula: 1, b3, b5.
- Notes: D# (1), F# (b3), A (b5).
- Result: D# diminished Chord. All notes are in the E major scale.
By understanding this process, you can derive the chords in any major key. While E major, with its sharps, might seem a bit more complex initially, working through it provides excellent practice in music theory.
Expanding Your Guitar Chord Knowledge
Now that you understand the chords in the key of E major, explore how these chords are used in actual songs and continue to expand your knowledge of guitar chords in other keys. Understanding the theory behind chord construction and key relationships will significantly improve your musicianship and guitar playing.
