E, major chord
E, G♯ and B
- Root
- E
- Major third
- G♯
- Perfect fifth
- B
Formula
1 3 5 (4, 7 half steps above E)
Fingering in root position
| Notes | E | G♯ | B |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 3 | 1 |
E major inversions
E major has 2 inversions. Each one keeps the same notes and puts a different one at the bottom, so your hand can stay close to the chord before or after it.
E
Root position
| Notes | E | G♯ | B |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 3 | 1 |
E/G♯
First inversion
| Notes | G♯ | B | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 3 | 1 |
E/B
Second inversion
| Notes | B | E | G♯ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 2 | 1 |
Keys with E major
Roman numerals give a chord's place in a key: capitals for major chords, small letters for minor, ° for diminished. E major appears as:
- I in E major
- IV in B major
- V in A major
- VI in G♯ minor
- V in A minor
- III in C♯ minor
- VII in F♯ minor
How E major is built
E is the root, G♯ the major third and B the perfect fifth.
A major chord is a root, the major third 4 half steps above it and the perfect fifth 7 half steps above it. Lower the middle note by one key and E major becomes E minor.
Every chord takes every other letter of the alphabet, so the letters of E major are E, G, B. That is why it is spelled E, G♯ and B.
Find E major yourself
Without looking at the diagrams, find the chord on the keyboard, then each inversion. Saying the notes out loud as you tap them helps them stick.
Step 1 of 3
Tap the notes of E major, in any octave and any order.
Practice E major in real music
MasterPiano gives you new music to read at your level and listens as you play, through a MIDI keyboard or your device's microphone, marking each note right or wrong.
Start freeQuestions
What notes are in the E major chord?
E major (E) has three notes: E, G♯ and B. E is the root, G♯ the major third and B the perfect fifth.
What fingers do you use for E major on piano?
In root position, play E, G♯ and B with right hand fingers 1, 3 and 5 (thumb, middle finger and little finger) and left hand fingers 5, 3 and 1. The fingers change a little in each inversion; every inversion on this page shows its own.
What are the inversions of E major?
E major has 2 inversions, one for each note other than the root at the bottom. First inversion (E/G♯): G♯, B and E. Second inversion (E/B): B, E and G♯.
What key is E major in?
E major is I in E major, its home key. It also appears as IV in B major, V in A major, VI in G♯ minor, V in A minor and III in C♯ minor.