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New Released in April 2026

E Major Chord on Piano (E)

The E major chord (E) on the piano is made of three notes: E, G#, B. It is a major triad, formula 1 3 5. On the keyboard: black key on the third (G#), white keys for the rest. Here are its three positions, both hands and where it shows up in real music.

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E E G# B

E at a glance

Keyboard shape

Black key on the third (g#), white keys for the rest.

Key signature

E is the home chord of E major: 4 sharps.

Its dominant

B7 (B D# F# A) is the dominant 7th that resolves to E.

E in real chord progressions

You will meet E in these major keys:

  • I in E major
  • IV in B major
  • V in A major

Relative minor: C#m · Parallel minor: Em

Try this loop starting on E (I - V - vi - IV): E → B → C#m → A. Keep a steady beat, four counts per chord.

The chords of E major

Pick any two of these and they will sound right next to E.

DegreeChordNotes
I E E G# B
ii F#m F# A C#
iii Abm Ab Cb Eb
IV A A C# E
V B B D# F#
vi C#m C# E G#
vii° Ebdim Eb Gb Bbb

Three ways to play E

Move E up an octave and you get the 1st inversion; move G# too and you get the 2nd.

E E G# B

Root position: E G# B

E G# B E

1st inversion: G# B E

E B E G#

2nd inversion: B E G#

How to play E on the piano

HandEG#B
Right hand1 (thumb)3 (middle)5 (little)
Left hand5 (little)3 (middle)1 (thumb)

Put the thumb on E first, then let the hand fall on G# and B without looking. Ten clean repetitions beat one long hold.

ChordRunner showing a chord block while hands play the piano

Train E in a game

In ChordRunner E and every other chord ride towards your runner: play them on your piano in time. MIDI keyboard or microphone, both work.

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All piano chords · Piano chord chart

Common questions

What are the notes of E?

E, G# and B. Start on E, add the major third G#, then the fifth B.

How do you play E on the piano?

Right hand: thumb on E, middle finger on G#, little finger on B. Left hand: little finger on E, middle finger on G#, thumb on B, or just the root E low.

Is E a major or minor chord?

E is major: its third is G#. Its relative minor partner is C#m.

Your instrument is the controller.

ChordRunner is a browser game that teaches piano and guitar chords: a chord appears on screen, you play it on a real instrument, and your runner jumps. MIDI keyboard or microphone, both work.

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