E Major Chord
Bright and happy sound
E is playable as an open chord near the nut (Open E Major), making it one of the more beginner-friendly shapes.
Emaj - Open E Major
What is a E chord?
A major chord stacks the root, major third (4 semitones above the root) and perfect fifth (7 semitones). The major third is what gives the chord its bright, resolved quality — drop it a half step and you have a minor chord with a darker mood. Major chords are the harmonic anchor of most Western music: songs in major keys typically open and close on their tonic major chord, and the I-IV-V trio of major chords drives countless rock, country, folk and pop songs.
Notes in the chord: E – G# – B
Intervals: Root, 3, 5 (measured from the root)
Where E fits in a key
E appears as the I in E major, V in A major, and IV in B major.
Common progressions with E
I-V-vi-IV — in E major
E → B → C#m → A
I-IV-V — in E major
E → A → B
I-vi-IV-V — in E major
E → C#m → A → B
When to use a major chord
In the key of E major, E is the tonic (I) — the chord progressions here resolve home to. Use a major chord as the home base (I) of a major-key song, or as the destination of a V-I cadence. Major chords power the I-IV-V trinity (Twist and Shout, La Bamba, Wild Thing), the I-V-vi-IV pop progression (Let It Be, With or Without You, No Woman No Cry) and the IV chord in nearly every major-key song. They also brighten a minor-key passage when used on the relative major's degree.
Common substitutions for E
- •Major 7th — adds the 7th for a softer, jazzier color (great for ballads and verses)
- •Add9 — adds the 9th for sparkle without changing the chord function
- •Suspended 4 — replaces the 3rd with the 4th for tension that resolves back to major
- •6th — adds the 6th for a vintage pop or country brightness
E Major Scale
Works great over major chords
Lydian Mode
Add color to major chords
Improvisation Basics
Learn to solo over progressions