E major scale on piano
E major: the do-re-mi scale: the basis of most melodies and of all major keys.
| Notes | E – F♯ – G♯ – A – B – C♯ – D♯ – E |
|---|---|
| Steps | W – W – H – W – W – W – H (W = whole step, H = half step) |
| Fingering | Right hand 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 · Left hand 5 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 |
| Relative minor | C♯ minor |
How to play the E major scale
Play it with the right hand using fingers 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 going up — the thumb passes under after the third finger. With the left hand use 5 4 3 2 1 3 2 1. Start slowly with the metronome and keep every note even.
Chords in E major
Build a chord on every note of the scale using only notes from the scale:
| Step | Triad | Seventh chord |
|---|---|---|
| I | E major | Emaj7 |
| ii | F♯ minor | F♯m7 |
| iii | G♯ minor | G♯m7 |
| IV | A major | Amaj7 |
| V | B major | B7 |
| vi | C♯ minor | C♯m7 |
| vii° | D♯ diminished | D♯m7♭5 |
Other E scales
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