E major chord

E

  • ER
  • G♯3
  • B5

Open

231ERB5ERG♯3B5ER

What each note does

  • E is the root. It names the chord and is the note your ear hears as home.
  • G♯ is the major third. It makes the chord sound bright. Lower it a half step to G and the chord turns minor.
  • B is the fifth. It adds weight without changing the character, so it is the first note to drop when a voicing gets crowded.

More voicings

Progressions that use E

Scales that contain E

Other E chords