Chords in the key of E
The key of E major has seven chords: E · F♯m · G♯m · A · B · C♯m · D♯dim. Tap any chord to hear it.
Keys lit: the E major scale. Tap a chord to light its notes.
The E major chord chart
| Degree | Triad | Notes | 7th chord | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | E | E G♯ B | Emaj7 (Imaj7) | Tonic: home |
| ii | F♯m | F♯ A C♯ | F♯m7 (ii7) | Pre-dominant |
| iii | G♯m | G♯ B D♯ | G♯m7 (iii7) | Tonic substitute |
| IV | A | A C♯ E | Amaj7 (IVmaj7) | Subdominant |
| V | B | B D♯ F♯ | B7 (V7) | Dominant: pulls home |
| vi | C♯m | C♯ E G♯ | C♯m7 (vi7) | Relative minor |
| vii° | D♯dim | D♯ F♯ A | D♯m7♭5 (viiø7) | Leading-tone chord |
Key of E at a glance
- Scale: E F♯ G♯ A B C♯ D♯
- Key signature: 4 sharps (F♯ G♯ C♯ D♯)
- Major chords: E, A, B
- Minor chords: F♯m, G♯m, C♯m
- Diminished: D♯dim
- Relative minor: C♯ minor
The pattern of chord qualities is the same in every major key: major, minor, minor, major, major, minor, diminished. It comes from stacking every other note of the scale on each degree.
Common progressions in E
| Progression | Chords in E | Play |
|---|---|---|
| I–V–vi–IV (pop) | E – B – C♯m – A | |
| I–IV–V (rock and folk) | E – A – B – E | |
| I–vi–IV–V (50s) | E – C♯m – A – B | |
| ii–V–I (jazz) | F♯m – B – E – E | |
| vi–IV–I–V (sensitive) | C♯m – A – E – B |
More ideas by mood: pop, sad and jazz chord progressions, or loop your own in the chord progression generator.
Other keys
Questions
What chords are in the key of E?
The key of E major has seven chords: E, F♯m, G♯m, A, B, C♯m, D♯dim. In Roman numerals that is I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi and vii°.
What are the I, IV and V chords in E?
E (I), A (IV) and B (V). These three major chords can harmonise most simple melodies in E major.
What is the relative minor of E major?
C♯ minor. It uses the same notes and key signature (4 sharps), starting on the sixth degree, C♯.
What notes are in the E major scale?
E, F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯, D♯, then E again an octave higher.