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Guitar scales · Major (Ionian)

E major scale on guitar

The E major scale has seven notes: E, F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯ and D♯. As degrees: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.

Notes and pattern

The E major scale

The reference scale. Bright and resolved; every other scale is described against it. Play it to hear it up and down.

From note to note it climbs 2, 2, 1, 2, 2, 2 and 1 : whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half.

E major has the same notes as C♯ minor, starting from E. See that scale.

  1. E1
  2. F♯2
  3. G♯3
  4. A4
  5. B5
  6. C♯6
  7. D♯7
EADGBE0135791215EEEEEEEEEF♯G♯ABC♯D♯F♯ABC♯D♯F♯G♯ABD♯F♯G♯ABC♯D♯G♯ABC♯D♯F♯G♯ABC♯D♯F♯G♯ABC♯F♯G♯ABC♯D♯F♯
  • E, the root
  • Other scale notes

Positions

E major in five positions

The splits the neck into five overlapping positions, one per shape. Learn one, then join it to the next.

E major · the whole neck

Five positions, each overlapping the next, repeating every 12 frets.

EEDDCAGGEADGBE0135791215EEEEEEEEEF♯G♯ABC♯D♯F♯ABC♯D♯F♯G♯ABD♯F♯G♯ABC♯D♯G♯ABC♯D♯F♯G♯ABC♯D♯F♯G♯ABC♯F♯G♯ABC♯D♯F♯
  • Root (E)
  • Scale tone

Chords

Chords from the E major scale

Stack every other note of the scale on each degree and you get its chords.

Numerals follow the key's own scale, so III, VI and VII in a minor key are its own major chords. A ♭ or ♯ in front marks a chord from outside the key. How Roman numerals work

Hear the chords and progressions in E major

Same root

Other scales on E

Change a note or two and the same takes on a new mood.

Questions

E major, in short

What notes are in the E major scale?
The E major scale has seven notes: E, F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯ and D♯. As degrees: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.
What chords go with the E major scale?
The chords built on E major are E, F♯m, G♯m, A, B, C♯m and D♯°.
What is the relative minor of E major?
E major has the same notes as C♯ minor, starting from E.
All guitar scales