Piano chords · Major chord
E piano chord (E major)
E is a major chord with 3 notes. It sounds bright and settled. Here's how to find it, play it and hear it.
E – G♯ – B · tap any key to hear it
The notes of E
E is built from 3 notes (1 – 3 – 5):
- E, the root
- G♯, the major third
- B, the fifth
G♯ is a black key, so keep your hand slightly further in, towards the fallboard, to reach it without stretching.
Fingering
- Right hand: 1 on E, 3 on G♯, 5 on B.
- Left hand: 5 on E, 3 on G♯, 1 on B.
Press every key at exactly the same moment, with the same weight. If one note sounds louder or a fraction late, the chord sounds uneven: play it slowly and listen for one sound.
Inversions
An inversion is the same notes in a different order, with a different note at the bottom. Inversions let you move between chords without jumping around the keyboard.
| Position | Notes, bottom to top |
|---|---|
| Root position | E – G♯ – B |
| 1st inversion | G♯ – B – E |
| 2nd inversion | B – E – G♯ |
Where E belongs
E is the I chord in E major, the IV chord in B major and the V chord in A major. Its relative minor is C♯m, which shares two of its notes.
Em is the same chord with the middle note a half step lower (G♯ becomes G), which turns it from bright to dark.
Hear it in a progression
E – B – C♯m – A: I – V – vi – IV, the progression behind countless pop songs.
Playing it, but it doesn't sound right? Ivory listens to you play and tells you what's off: a note that's missing, a hand that lands late, a chord that's uneven. Then it shows you how it should go.
Questions people ask
What notes are in the E chord?
E (E major) is made of E, G♯ and B: the root, major third and fifth.
How do you play E on piano?
With your right hand, use fingers 1 on E, 3 on G♯, 5 on B, and press them together. With your left hand: 5 on E, 3 on G♯, 1 on B.
What's the difference between E and Em?
Em is the same chord with the middle note a half step lower (G♯ becomes G), which turns it from bright to dark.