Major (Ionian) · E · Piano
The E Major scale is E F♯ G♯ A B C♯ D♯ — formula 1 2 3 4 5 6 7, step pattern W–W–H–W–W–W–H. Use it over Emaj7: it is the scale for the I chord (maj7) and any major-key tonic; the default over Imaj7 in a ii–V–I. Below, every note is marked on the two-octave keyboard; press play to hear it on a synthesized piano while each note lights up, or tap any key to sound that note.
Visualizer
Piano
Guitar · standard tuning
Tap any note on the diagram to hear it. Play runs the scale up and down one octave in eighth notes. “Show” switches or combines the fretboard and keyboard; “Sound” picks the instrument you hear. Audio is synthesized in the browser.
Reference
| Degree | Note | Interval from E | Step to next |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | E | unison (0 semitones) | W |
| 2 | F♯ | major 2nd (2 semitones) | W |
| 3 | G♯ | major 3rd (4 semitones) | H |
| 4 | A | perfect 4th (5 semitones) | W |
| 5 | B | perfect 5th (7 semitones) | W |
| 6 | C♯ | major 6th (9 semitones) | W |
| 7 | D♯ | major 7th (11 semitones) | H |
Chord it implies: Emaj7 (E – G♯ – B – D♯). Use it for: the I chord (maj7) and any major-key tonic; the default over Imaj7 in a ii–V–I.
Common questions
E F♯ G♯ A B C♯ D♯. As scale degrees: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7. It has 7 notes.
E Major fits Emaj7 and, more generally, the I chord (maj7) and any major-key tonic; the default over Imaj7 in a ii–V–I.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 — the step pattern from the root is W W H W W W H (W = whole step, H = half step).
Play E F♯ G♯ A B C♯ D♯ E ascending from the root, then descend. The keyboard above shows every root in gold, chord tones outlined in amber and the remaining scale tones in teal; use the Play button to hear the fingering tempo.
Keep going
Same scale on guitar · all Major pages: Major (Ionian) hub · practise it in context: ii–V–I trainer · theory: chord-scale theory.
Other scales from E