Key

The key of E major · 4 sharps: F♯ C♯ G♯ D♯

Major keys sound bright and settled. The I, IV and V chords do most of the work; the minor ii, iii and vi add color.

Relative minor: C♯ minor — the same notes and key signature. Parallel minor: E minor. Scale: E major scale.

Notes in the key

EF♯G♯ABC♯D♯

Chords in E major

One chord on each note of the scale. Roman numerals show each chord’s position — uppercase for major, lowercase for minor.

Left-handed

I E

E G♯ B

ii F♯m

F♯ A C♯

iii G♯m

G♯ B D♯

IV A

A C♯ E

V B

B D♯ F♯

vi C♯m

C♯ E G♯

vii° D♯dim

D♯ F♯ A

Common progressions in E major

The pop progression I–V–vi–IV E – B – C♯m – A Three-chord rock I–IV–V–IV E – A – B – A The ’50s progression I–vi–IV–V E – C♯m – A – B The minor-feel pop progression vi–IV–I–V C♯m – A – E – B The 12-bar blues 12-bar blues E7 – A7 – B7 The jazz cadence ii–V–I F♯m7 – B7 – Emaj7 The turnaround I–vi–ii–V E – C♯m – F♯m – B Pachelbel’s Canon I–V–vi–iii–IV–I–IV–V E – B – C♯m – G♯m – A – E – A – B The Mixolydian rock progression I–♭VII–IV–I E – D – A – E

Circle of fifths

Each step clockwise adds a sharp (or removes a flat). Neighbors on the circle share all but one note, so E major’s closest keys are right next to it — and its relative minor sits on the inner ring. Click any key to open it.