E major scale

The notes of the E major scale on a piano, the chords that belong to it, and how it sounds. Press play to hear it, tap a key or a chord, and download the scale as MIDI.

Free
No account
Runs in your browser
All twelve keys
MIDI download

E1F#2G#3A4B5C#6D#7

Steps: W W H W W W H (W = whole step, H = half step)

Chords in E major

Each chord on its own page: E · F#m · G#m · A · B · C#m · D#dim

Tap a chord to hear it. For progressions you can play and download, see chord progressions in E major.

How E major sounds

Bright, settled and open. The major scale is the reference the other scales are measured against.

Used in: Pop, piano house, disco, gospel house and most uplifting music.

On the Camelot wheel, E major is 12B.

Same notes, different root: C# minor, F# Dorian, G# Phrygian, A Lydian, B Mixolydian.

For the low end: the root of E major is E and the fifth is B. A kick or 808 tuned to one of them sits with the bass; the kick drum tuning chart has the frequencies.

Write chords in this scale with the chord progression generator, or a melody in the synth.

Other major scales

Play this scale with VISIONS OF TOMORROW →71 Serum 2 presets for house and techno: leads, pads, plucks, keys and basses to write in any scale. $29.

Or start with the free pack: 24 sounds from all three packs, and a 25% code for the full packs a few days later.

Questions

What notes are in the E major scale?

E, F#, G#, A, B, C#, D#.

What chords are in E major?

E, F#m, G#m, A, B, C#m, D#dim.

What is the formula for the major scale?

1 2 3 4 5 6 7, or in steps: W W H W W W H (W is a whole step, H a half step).

Which scales have the same notes as E major?

C# minor, F# Dorian, G# Phrygian, A Lydian, B Mixolydian. They use the same seven notes, starting from a different root.

What is E major on the Camelot wheel?

12B.