The key of E is a powerhouse on guitar. E major is the favorite key for blues, classic rock, and hard rock, while E minor is the most natural minor key on the instrument. Here’s your complete guide to both.
The 7 Chords in the Key of E Major
| Numeral | Chord | Type | Notes |
|———|——-|——|——-|
| I | E | Major | E – G# – B |
| ii | F#m | Minor | F# – A – C# |
| iii | G#m | Minor | G# – B – D# |
| IV | A | Major | A – C# – E |
| V | B | Major | B – D# – F# |
| vi | C#m | Minor | C# – E – G# |
| vii° | D#dim | Diminished | D# – F# – A |
The key of E major has four sharps: F#, C#, G#, D#.
The 7 Chords in the Key of E Minor
| Numeral | Chord | Type | Notes |
|———|——-|——|——-|
| i | Em | Minor | E – G – B |
| ii° | F#dim | Diminished | F# – A – C |
| III | G | Major | G – B – D |
| iv | Am | Minor | A – C – E |
| v | Bm | Minor | B – D – F# |
| VI | C | Major | C – E – G |
| VII | D | Major | D – F# – A |
E minor has one sharp: F#.
Guitar Chord Shapes — E Major
E Major (I)
Index 1st fret (3rd string), middle 2nd fret (5th string), ring 2nd fret (4th string). All 6 strings. The fullest-sounding open chord.
A Major (IV)
Index 2nd fret (4th string), middle 2nd fret (3rd string), ring 2nd fret (2nd string). Strings 1-5.
B Major (V)
Barre chord: barre 2nd fret, add A shape. X24442. The main challenge in this key.
F#m (ii) & C#m (vi)
Both barre chords. F#m: 244222. C#m: X46654.
Guitar Chord Shapes — E Minor
E minor is the most natural key on guitar — every chord except Bm and F#dim is an open chord:
Em (i)
Middle 2nd fret (5th string), ring 2nd fret (4th string). All 6 strings. The easiest chord.
G (III), Am (iv), C (VI), D (VII)
All standard open chords that every beginner learns.
Piano Chord Shapes
E Major: E-G#-B | A: A-C#-E | B: B-D#-F# | C#m: C#-E-G# | F#m: F#-A-C#
E Minor: Em: E-G-B | G: G-B-D | Am: A-C-E | Bm: B-D-F# | C: C-E-G | D: D-F#-A
Common Progressions in E
E Major: I – IV – V (E – A – B)
The blues foundation. Used in: “Johnny B. Goode,” “Hound Dog,” “I Love Rock and Roll.”
E Minor: i – VII – VI – V (Em – D – C – B)
The classic minor descent. Used in: “Stairway to Heaven” (intro section).
E Minor: i – iv – VII – III (Em – Am – D – G)
Used in: “The Chain,” “Paint It Black” (transposed).
Songs in E Major
– Johnny B. Goode — E, A, B
– Sympathy for the Devil — E, D, A, B
– I Love Rock and Roll — E, A, B
– Born on the Bayou — E, D, A, G
Songs in E Minor
– The Chain — Em, Am, G, D, C
– Zombie — Em, C, G, D
– Mad World — Em, G, D, A
– Nothing Else Matters — Em, Am, C, D, G
– Boulevard of Broken Dreams — Em, G, D, A
Why E Is Essential for Guitar
E major’s open E and A chords provide thunderous low-end resonance, making it the go-to key for rock and blues. E minor is arguably the most beginner-friendly minor key, using mostly open chords. Together, they cover a huge portion of the guitar repertoire.