Chord progressions in E major

The seven chords of E major and the progressions producers use most, all spelled out in E major. Press play to hear any of them, download the MIDI, or open one in the generator to change it.

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The chords in E major

Notes: E F# G# A B C# D# · E major scale · Relative minor: C# minor

Tap a chord to hear it. Each on its own page: E · F#m · G#m · A · B · C#m · D#dim

Pop axis

E major
EIBVC#mviAIV

I, V, vi, IV. The most used four chords in pop, and as piano stabs the sound of 90s piano house.

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Sad pop

E major
C#mviAIVEIBV

vi, IV, I, V. The same four chords started on the minor one, which makes them wistful.

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The fifties progression

E major
EIC#mviAIVBV

I, vi, IV, V. The doo-wop progression, still common in ballads.

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Royal road

E major
AIVBVG#miiiC#mvi

IV, V, iii, vi. Huge in J-pop and anime music; it never quite settles on the tonic.

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Jazz turnaround

E major
F#m7ii7B7V7Emaj7Imaj7

ii7, V7, Imaj7. The ii-V-I of jazz, used in soulful and disco-flavoured house.

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Two-chord major

E major
EIAIV

I to IV. Bright and open; two chords that carry gospel house, disco and pop.

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Lift to the minor

E major
AIVEIBVC#mvi

IV, I, V, vi. Ends on the minor chord, so each round sounds like it is still going somewhere. Common in modern pop and EDM.

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Using these progressions

  • E major and C# minor use the same notes, so progressions from either work in the same track.
  • Keep the bass on the root of each chord and play the chords above it, the way these progressions are voiced.
  • For house and techno, try the chords as short stabs on the offbeat; for pads, hold each chord for a whole bar.

Every progression on the site, in every key, as MIDI in one zip: free MIDI chord progressions.

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Chord progressions by key

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Questions

What chords are in E major?

E, F#m, G#m, A, B, C#m, D#dim. The seventh chord, D#dim, is diminished, so most progressions leave it out.

What is the relative minor of E major?

C# minor. The two keys share every note.

What are common chord progressions in E major?

E B C#m A (pop axis); C#m A E B (sad pop); E C#m A B (the fifties progression).

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