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Key of E major
E major has 4 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯) in its key signature. Its scale is E, F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯, D♯ and its relative key is C♯ minor.
- 1E
- 2F♯
- 3G♯
- 4A
- 5B
- 6C♯
- 7D♯
PatternW – W – H – W – W – W – H(W = whole step, H = half step)
The E scales
- E majorE F♯ G♯ A B C♯ D♯
- E major pentatonicE F♯ G♯ B C♯
- E major bluesE F♯ G G♯ B C♯
Degrees and intervals
| Degree | Note | Name | Interval from the tonic |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | E | Tonic | Unison |
| 2 | F♯ | Supertonic | Major second |
| 3 | G♯ | Mediant | Major third |
| 4 | A | Subdominant | Perfect fourth |
| 5 | B | Dominant | Perfect fifth |
| 6 | C♯ | Submediant | Major sixth |
| 7 | D♯ | Leading tone | Major seventh |
Triads in the key
Seventh chords in the key
The modes of the scale
Starting from each degree of the scale, with the same notes, you get seven modes.
- E IonianE F♯ G♯ A B C♯ D♯
- F♯ DorianF♯ G♯ A B C♯ D♯ E
- G♯ PhrygianG♯ A B C♯ D♯ E F♯
- A LydianA B C♯ D♯ E F♯ G♯
- B MixolydianB C♯ D♯ E F♯ G♯ A
- C♯ AeolianC♯ D♯ E F♯ G♯ A B
- D♯ LocrianD♯ E F♯ G♯ A B C♯
On the circle of fifths
Frequently asked questions
- How many sharps or flats does E major have?
- E major has 4 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯).
- What are the chords in E major?
- The chords on the seven degrees are E, F♯m, G♯m, A, B, C♯m, D♯dim.
- What is the relative key of E major?
- It is C♯ minor: the two keys share the same notes and the same key signature.
From theory to practice
With GEN you generate ever-new exercises on the scales you are studying.