Chords in the Key of E (4 sharps)
E is the guitar's blues key. E, A, and B7 with the low E string ringing under everything. The instrument is practically tuned to it.
The seven chords
| Degree | Chord | Quality |
|---|---|---|
| I | E | major |
| ii | F♯m | minor |
| iii | G♯m | minor |
| IV | A | major |
| V | B | major |
| vi | C♯m | minor |
| vii° | D♯ dim | diminished |
E, A, and B are the majors, F♯m, G♯m, and C♯m the minors, and D♯ diminished gets skipped by most guitar arrangements. Plenty of songs in E never leave E, A, B, and C♯m.
Common progressions
E, A, B. The I, IV, V, and the whole three-chord songbook with it.
E, B, C♯m, A. The four-chord pop axis. Several decades of hits use exactly this.
Scales to solo with
E major pentatonic is the lead scale for the major-key sound. C♯ minor pentatonic is the same five notes from the relative minor side.
Keep exploring
Relative minor
Parallel minor
Neighbor keys, one accidental away
Key of E FAQ
What chords are in the key of E?
E, F♯m, G♯m, A, B, C♯m, and D♯ diminished. The I, IV, and V are E, A, and B, and the relative minor is C♯m.
What is the relative minor of E major?
C♯ minor. Same key signature, same seven chords, with C♯m treated as home.
How many sharps or flats does the key of E have?
4 sharps, F♯, C♯, G♯, and D♯.