stringery

E major

The do-re-mi scale everything else is measured against. Major family

Bright, familiar, resolved.

Root position1 of 5

35791215

Square: the root. In colour: the major 3rd, the note that gives this scale its sound.

Built from

  1. ERW
  2. F♯2W
  3. G♯3H
  4. A4W
  5. B5W
  6. C♯6W
  7. D♯7H

Every step is a whole step except two half steps, after the 3rd and the 7th. That pattern is the sound of 'home' in most music you know.

Between the notes: W is a whole step (2 frets), H a half step (1 fret), and 1½ a step and a half (3 frets).

On the whole neckE major

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12345EADGBE35791215R234567R24567R23457R234567R34567R234567R23456R234567R2

Position 1 is outlined, frets 0 to 2. Pick another window to move there.

Ring the notes of a chord

Chords in this scale

The E major key

Build a chord on every note of the scale and you get these seven. Songs in this key mostly use them.

  1. EI
  2. F♯mii
  3. G♯miii
  4. AIV
  5. BV
  6. C♯mvi
  7. D♯dimvii°

Its neighbours on the circle of fifths Capo and transpose

Play it over

Chords this scale sounds good over, most natural first.

Same notes, different home

  • C♯ minor

    Same notes, but home is C♯: sad, serious, the classic minor sound.

  • F♯ dorian

    Same notes, but home is F♯: minor but hopeful. cool and groovy.

  • B mixolydian

    Same notes, but home is B: major and laid-back, with swagger.

  • A lydian

    Same notes, but home is A: floating, magical, wide-eyed.

  • G♯ phrygian

    Same notes, but home is G♯: dark, spanish, menacing.