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E major (E) on guitar

The E major scale consists of the notes E – F♯ – G♯ – A – B – C♯ – D♯ and has 4 sharps. Below you can see every usable note on the neck up to fret 15.

E majorMajor scale

♪ Click a note on the fretboard to hear its sound.

E
B
G
D
A
E
0123•45•67•89•101112••131415•
Root noteOther notes
Click a note to hear it · frets 0–15

Chords in E major

Common progression: E – B – C♯m – A (I–V–vi–IV).

Quick overview

Root note
E
Mode
major
Key signature
4 sharps
Pentatonic
E F♯ G♯ B C♯
Relative key
C♯ minor

Well-known songs in E major

  • (I Can't Get No) SatisfactionThe Rolling Stones
  • Back in BlackAC/DC
  • Before You Accuse MeEric Clapton
  • Born to Be WildSteppenwolf
  • Born to RunBruce Springsteen
  • CocaineEric Clapton
  • Communication BreakdownLed Zeppelin
  • Day TripperThe Beatles
  • Don't Stop Believin'Journey
  • Folsom Prison BluesJohnny Cash
  • Get It On (Bang a Gong)T. Rex
  • GloriaThem
  • Good Times Bad TimesLed Zeppelin
  • Heartbreak HotelElvis Presley
  • Hey JoeThe Jimi Hendrix Experience
  • Hey Soul SisterTrain
  • Hide AwayFreddie King
  • High and DryRadiohead
  • I Saw Her Standing ThereThe Beatles
  • I Want to Break FreeQueen
  • Norwegian WoodThe Beatles
  • PhotographEd Sheeran
  • Purple HazeThe Jimi Hendrix Experience
  • Roadhouse BluesThe Doors
  • Sex on FireKings of Leon
  • Smokestack Lightnin'Howlin' Wolf
  • Sweet Home ChicagoRobert Johnson
  • The Jean GenieDavid Bowie
  • Under the BridgeRed Hot Chili Peppers
  • Walk of LifeDire Straits
  • Walk This WayAerosmith
  • What's Going OnMarvin Gaye
  • Where Is My Mind?Pixies
  • Whole Lotta LoveLed Zeppelin
  • Yer BluesThe Beatles

Key of the original recording; live versions or covers may differ.

CAGED positions

With the CAGED system you play E in five positions across the whole neck. Each shape connects to the next.

  • E shapearound fret 0 · root on low E string, fret 0
  • D shapearound fret 2 · root on D string, fret 2
  • C shapearound fret 4 · root on A string, fret 7
  • A shapearound fret 7 · root on A string, fret 7
  • G shapearound fret 9 · root on low E string, fret 12

Learn E major in 5 steps

  1. Step 1

    Find the root note E

    Find E on the low E string (fret 12) and on the A string (fret 7). Play them alternately and say the name out loud. Every pattern below hangs off these two points.

  2. Step 2

    Play the main chords

    Learn the three most important chords: E (I), A (IV) and B (V). Switch between them at a slow tempo until you can play through without stopping.

  3. Step 3

    Learn the pentatonic in box 1

    The major pentatonic (E F♯ G♯ B C♯) is the first pattern to learn. Put your index finger around fret 9 and play two notes per string, from the low E to the high e and back.

  4. Step 4

    Extend to the full scale

    Add the two missing notes (A and D♯) in the same position. Now you're playing all seven notes of E majeur: E F♯ G♯ A B C♯ D♯.

  5. Step 5

    Improvise over a chord progression

    Record E – B – C♯m – A (or ask someone to play it) and solo over it using box 1. End your phrases on E and listen to how that "coming home" sounds.

Playing E major with a capo

Go to the capo guide

Solo tips for E major

  1. Start with the major pentatonic scale (E F♯ G♯ B C♯). The best-known "box" pattern starts on the root E on the low E string, fret 12.
  2. End your phrases on the root E for a resolved feeling, or on the third G♯ and fifth B for tension.
  3. Add the blue note G as a passing note for a bluesy sound — don't linger on it too long.
  4. Over the B chord (the V) deliberately play the notes of that chord to make the chord changes audible.

Frequently asked questions about E major

Which notes are in E majeur?

E majeur (E) consists of the notes E, F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯, D♯. The key signature has 4 sharps.

Which chords fit E majeur?

The diatonic chords in E majeur are E, F♯m, G♯m, A, B, C♯m, D♯dim. You can freely combine them; they all sound good within the key.

What is the relative key of E majeur?

The relative key is C♯ minor. It uses exactly the same notes and key signature, just with a different tonal centre.

Which pentatonic scale do you use in E majeur?

Use the major pentatonic scale: E, F♯, G♯, B, C♯. It avoids the "tricky" half-step intervals and almost always sounds good.

How do I find E on the guitar neck?

You'll find the root E on the low E string at fret 12 and on the A string at fret 7, among other places.