E Major 7th
Introduction
Notes
E Major 7th Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | E4 – G#4 – B4 – D#5 |
| 1st Inversion | G#4 – B4 – D#5 – E5 |
| 2nd Inversion | B4 – D#5 – E5 – G#5 |
| 3rd Inversion | E4 – G#4 – B4 – D#4 |
Key Signature
The key of E Major 7th has 4 sharps: F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯.
Theory: Intervals
The E Major 7th is built by stacking intervals from the root note. The formula R-M3-P5-M7 describes the scale degrees used. The intervals P1-M3-P5-M7 show the distance between each note in the chord.
E Major 7th — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the E Major 7th chord?
The E Major 7th chord (Emaj7) contains four notes: E (root), G# (major third), B (perfect fifth), and D# (major seventh). The major seventh interval gives this chord its characteristically dreamy, warm quality.
How does E Major 7th differ from E Dominant 7th?
Both contain E, G#, and B. The difference is the seventh: Emaj7 has D# (major seventh) while E7 has D (minor seventh). Emaj7 sounds lush and resolved; E7 sounds tense and pulls toward A Major.
How is E Major 7th used in music?
Emaj7 is the I chord in jazz harmony in E Major. It appears in rock ballads, dream pop, and shoegaze where the lush quality enhances atmospheric textures. In jazz, E Major is less common than flat keys but appears in fusion and contemporary styles.
What genres commonly use Major 7th chords?
Major 7th chords are foundational in jazz, bossa nova, neo-soul, R&B, city pop, and lo-fi hip-hop. They also appear in classical impressionism and sophisticated pop. The dreamy quality is a signature of relaxed, harmonically rich music.
What songs use Major 7th chords?
Major 7th chords appear in The Girl from Ipanema (Jobim), Don't Know Why (Norah Jones), and countless jazz standards. Stevie Wonder's catalogue is filled with major 7th voicings. The warm sound makes it a favourite across many genres.
Can I substitute E Major 7th for E Major?
Yes — Emaj7 can replace E Major for added sophistication in most contexts. The exception is when the melody is on E, since the semitone between D# and E can create a harsh clash.
Practice Tips
- Play E Major then add D# — hear the dreamy warmth the major seventh brings to an otherwise simple triad.
- Compare Emaj7 with E7 — one semitone (D# vs D) makes the difference between a resolved home chord and one that demands motion.
- Practice the jazz ii–V–I in E: F#m7 → B7 → Emaj7. Even though E Major is less common in jazz, this progression is essential vocabulary.
- Emaj7 works beautifully in dream pop and shoegaze — try sustaining it with reverb for an atmospheric wash of sound.
- Try spread voicings: E–B–D#–G# for a more open, spacious sound.
- Watch for the melody on E — the D#–E semitone creates a distinctive tension that works in some contexts but clashes in others.