E major scale on guitar
The E major scale has 7 notes: E, F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯ and D♯. The major scale is the reference point for most Western music: bright, settled and the source of the “do re mi” sound. Every other scale on this site is easiest to understand as a change to it.
Notes in E major
- Formula
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
- Step pattern
- W – W – H – W – W – W – H
- Notes
- 7
Tap a note to hear it.
E major across the neck
Every E major note on the first 12 frets in standard tuning. Filled dots are the root, E. A good place to start: E is the open low E string, so start in open position (frets 0 to 3), then move up the neck.
Intervals
| Degree | Note | Interval from E |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | E | Root |
| 2 | F♯ | Major 2nd |
| 3 | G♯ | Major 3rd |
| 4 | A | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | B | Perfect 5th |
| 6 | C♯ | Major 6th |
| 7 | D♯ | Major 7th |
Chords in E major
Stack every other note of the scale and you get these triads. Any of them will sound “at home” with the E major scale.
H = half step (1 fret), W = whole step (2 frets). Roman numerals: uppercase is major, lowercase is minor, ° is diminished, + is augmented.
Related scales
- Its relative minor is C♯ minor: the same seven notes, starting from the 6th note.
- Drop the 4th and 7th and you get E major pentatonic.
- Play the same notes from the 2nd note for F♯ Dorian, or from the 5th for B Mixolydian.
Questions
What notes are in the E major scale?
E, F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯, D♯. Its formula is 1 2 3 4 5 6 7.
Where do I start the E major scale on guitar?
E is the open low E string, so start in open position (frets 0 to 3). The fretboard map on this page shows every E major note on the first 12 frets.
What scales are related to E major?
Its relative minor is C♯ minor: the same seven notes, starting from the 6th note.
More scales
Major in every key
Other scales from E