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E chord (E major) on piano

E (E major) has three notes: E, G sharp and B. Its formula is 1, 3, 5. In major keys, E is the I chord in E major, the IV in B major and the V in A major.

E inversions and fingering

EBG#
Root position
E G# B · RH 1-3-5 · LH 5-3-1
BEG#
First inversion
G# B E · RH 1-2-5 · LH 5-3-1
BEG#
Second inversion
B E G# · RH 1-3-5 · LH 5-2-1

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E chord facts
SymbolE
Also writtenEmaj, EM
NotesE G# B
Formula1 3 5
Intervalsroot, major third, perfect fifth
TypeMajor chord

E across the keyboard

C3C4C5E1B5E1B5G#3G#3

Piano, C3 to C5. Notes in this scale, low to high: E3 (1), G#3 (3), B3 (5), E4 (1), G#4 (3), B4 (5).

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Questions

What notes are in the E chord?

E (E major) has three notes: E, G sharp and B. Its formula is 1, 3, 5. E is the root, G# is the major third and B is the perfect fifth.

How do you play E on piano?

Play E, G# and B together. Root position: E G# B · RH 1-3-5 · LH 5-3-1.

What key is E in?

In major keys, E is the I chord in E major, the IV in B major and the V in A major. It is diatonic to those keys, so it fits songs in any of them.

What is the difference between E and Em?

E has a major 3rd, G#. Em lowers it a half step to G, which is what makes it sound minor. The root and 5th stay the same.