E major chord on piano

E · Emaj · EM — the bright, stable sound most songs are built on.

Notes	E – G♯ – B
Formula	1 – 3 – 5
Symbols	E, Emaj, EM
Fingering (root position)	Right hand 1 3 5 · Left hand 5 3 1

How to play E major on the piano

Start on E. Add the third (G♯) and the fifth (B). With the right hand use fingers 1 3 5; with the left hand 5 3 1. Press the keys together for the chord, or one after another for an arpeggio.

Inversions

The same notes in a different order: the lowest note changes, the chord stays E major. Inversions let you move between chords with small steps.

Root position

E – G♯ – B · RH 1 3 5 · LH 5 3 1

1st inversion

G♯ – B – E · RH 1 2 5 · LH 5 3 1

2nd inversion

B – E – G♯ · RH 1 3 5 · LH 5 2 1

Which keys use E major

In these keys the chord is built from the notes of the scale itself:

III in C♯ minor
I in E major
VII in F♯ minor
VI in G♯ minor
V in A major
IV in B major

Its relative minor chord is C♯ minor.

Other E chords

E minor E diminished E augmented E sus2 E sus4 E6 E7 E major seventh E minor seventh E diminished seventh E half-diminished

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