The E Major 7th chord is a four-note chord made up of E, G♯, B, and D♯. It is built from a root, major third, perfect fifth, and major seventh.
Construction
E Major 7th = Root + Major 3rd + Perfect 5th + Major 7th = E · G♯ · B · D♯
| Note | Interval | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| E | Root | 1 |
| G♯ | Major 3rd | 3 |
| B | Perfect 5th | 5 |
| D♯ | Major 7th | 7 |
E Major 7th Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | E – G♯ – B – D♯ |
| 1st Inversion | G♯ – B – D♯ – E |
| 2nd Inversion | B – D♯ – E – G♯ |
| 3rd Inversion | D♯ – E – G♯ – B |
Key Signature
A chord has no key signature of its own, but the E Major 7th is the tonic (I) chord of E Major, whose key signature has 4 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯).
F♯C♯G♯D♯
Order of sharps
Sharps are added to a key signature in a fixed order. Each new sharp key adds the next sharp on the list.
F♯C♯G♯D♯A♯E♯B♯
Mnemonic: Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle
Chords in the Key of E Major
These are the triads built on each degree of the E major scale:
How E Major 7th functions in a key
The same chord takes on a different harmonic role depending on the key it appears in. Here is where E Major 7th sits diatonically across the common keys:
- In E major, E Major 7th is the I chord — the tonic.
- In G♯ minor, E Major 7th is the VI chord — the tonic.
- In B major, E Major 7th is the IV chord — a predominant.
- In C♯ minor, E Major 7th is the III chord — a mediant / color chord.
E Major 7th — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the E Major 7th chord on piano?
The E Major 7th chord contains the notes E – G♯ – B – D♯. On piano, play these notes together to sound the chord.
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.