E major scale
4 sharps: F♯ G♯ C♯ D♯ · pattern W–W–H–W–W–W–H
Scale degrees
| Degree | Note | Name | Half steps from E |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | E | Tonic | 0 |
| 2 | F♯ | Supertonic | 2 |
| 3 | G♯ | Mediant | 4 |
| 4 | A | Subdominant | 5 |
| 5 | B | Dominant | 7 |
| 6 | C♯ | Submediant | 9 |
| 7 | D♯ | Leading tone | 11 |
About this scale
The major scale is the reference every other scale is compared with. E major’s notes also form the chords I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi and vii° of the key — the backbone of most songs in E.
Relative key: C♯ minor.
Seventh chords in E major scale
Imaj7 Emaj7ii7 F♯m7iii7 G♯m7IVmaj7 Amaj7V7 B7vi7 C♯m7viiø7 D♯m7♭5
Other E scales
E natural minorE harmonic minorE melodic minorE major pentatonicE minor pentatonicE bluesE DorianE Mixolydian
Major scale in other keys
Questions
What are the notes of the E major scale?
E, F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯, D♯, and back to E.
How many sharps or flats are in E major scale?
4: F♯, G♯, C♯, D♯.
What is the step pattern of the major scale?
W–W–H–W–W–W–H, where W is a whole step (two keys) and H is a half step (the next key). Start that pattern on E to get this scale.
What is the relative minor of E major?
C♯ minor. Both scales use the same notes but start on a different tonic.