E Major Scale on Piano: Notes, Fingering & How to Play

E Major Scale Notes

Steps:: 2-2-1-2-2-2-1
Pattern:: W-W-H-W-W-W-H
Notes:: Seven-note scale

Degree	Name	Note	Interval
1	Tonic	E	P1
2	Supertonic	F♯	M2
3	Mediant	G♯	M3
4	Subdominant	A	P4
5	Dominant	B	P5
6	Submediant	C♯	M6
7	Leading Tone	D♯	M7
8	Octave	E	P8

How to Play the E Major Scale

Practice the E Major Scale hands separately at a slow, steady tempo before putting them together. Aim for even rhythm and a relaxed wrist. The goal is a smooth, connected line where every note sounds the same length and volume. Once both hands feel comfortable on their own, layer them at the same slow tempo and only speed up when the joined version is clean.

Right Hand (RH)

Place your right hand over the keys with the thumb on the root. Use the fingering: 1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5 (1 = thumb, 2 = index, 3 = middle, 4 = ring, 5 = pinky).

Right hand: thumb (1) on E, index (2) on F#, middle (3) on G#, then tuck the thumb (1) under to A, index (2) on B, middle (3) on C#, ring (4) on D#, pinky (5) on E.

Step	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Note	E	F#	G#	A	B	C#	D#	E
Finger	1	2	3	1	2	3	4	5

Watch for the thumb tuck: the thumb (1) passes under your fingers at note 4 (A). Keep your wrist level and quiet. Only the thumb moves under, the hand stays in place above the keys.

Two octaves (RH): 1-2-3-1-2-3-4-1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5

Left Hand (LH)

For the left hand, start with your pinky on the root. Use the fingering: 5-4-3-2-1-3-2-1

Left hand: pinky (5) on E, ring (4) on F#, middle (3) on G#, index (2) on A, thumb (1) on B, then cross the middle (3) over to C#, index (2) on D#, thumb (1) on E.

Step	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Note	E	F#	G#	A	B	C#	D#	E
Finger	5	4	3	2	1	3	2	1

Watch for the crossover: a long finger (3 or 4) crosses over the thumb at note 6 (C#). Lift the long finger over cleanly without disturbing the thumb. Descending the scale, the thumb will pass under at the same spots in reverse.

Two octaves (LH): 5-4-3-2-1-3-2-1-4-3-2-1-3-2-1

Parallel and Relative Keys

Every major scale has two close cousins. The parallel key shares the same root note but flips the mode (major ↔ minor). The relative key shares the exact same notes and key signature, but starts on a different tonic, three semitones down. Both relationships matter for songwriting: borrowing chords from the parallel key adds emotional color, and pivoting to the relative key is a smooth way to change the mood of a section without changing keys on paper.

Parallel key: E Minor Scale: same root note (E), opposite mode. The third, sixth, and seventh degrees shift by a half-step. See also the E Minor Chord.

Relative key: C# Minor Scale: same key signature, different tonic. E Major and C# Minor use the same seven notes; the difference is which note feels like “home.” See also the C# Minor Chord.

Key Signature

The notes of the E Major Scale come from E Major, so it carries that key signature: 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 Scale

These are the triads built on each degree of the E Major Scale:

I — E Major (major)

Degree	Numeral	Chord	Quality
1	I	E Major	Major
2	ii	F♯ Minor	Minor
3	iii	G♯ Minor	Minor
4	IV	A Major	Major
5	V	B Major	Major
6	vi	C♯ Minor	Minor
7	vii°	D♯ Diminished	Diminished

E Major Scale Properties

Stability: One note in E Major Scale has no perfect fifth above it within the scale, giving the scale a small asymmetry that defines its leading quality.
Semitone steps: E Major Scale has 2 adjacent semitone steps, creating the close chromatic movement that shapes its character.
Brightness: Brightness score: 42. Higher numbers indicate a brighter, sharper sound.
Symmetry: E Major Scale has no transposition symmetry: shifting every note by the same number of semitones produces a different set of notes.
Interval profile: [2, 5, 4, 3, 6, 1](semitone pairs, step pairs, thirds, fourths, fifths, tritone pairs)
Complement: 5 notes outside this scale

Related modes and scales sharing the same 7 notes:

E Major Scale : Frequently Asked Questions

What are the notes of the E Major Scale on piano?

The E Major Scale uses the notes E – F♯ – G♯ – A – B – C♯ – D♯ – E. Play them in order from the root up to the octave, hands separately first, then together.

What notes are in the E Major Scale?

The E Major Scale contains seven notes: E F# G# A B C# D#, plus the octave (E again). It has four sharps (F# C# G# D#). The scale follows the W–W–H–W–W–W–H step pattern (whole and half steps) common to all major scales.

What is the fingering for the E Major Scale?

Standard one-octave fingering for the E Major Scale: Right hand: 1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5; Left hand: 5-4-3-2-1-3-2-1. The "1" marks where your thumb tucks under (right hand ascending) or your middle/ring finger crosses over (left hand ascending). Practice hands separately at a slow, steady tempo before putting them together.

What is the relative minor of E Major?

The relative minor of E Major is C# minor. They share the same key signature and the same seven notes: the difference is which note acts as the tonal centre. C# minor begins on the 6th degree of the E Major scale.

How do I practise the E Major Scale effectively?

Start slowly with the right hand alone using the correct fingering. Add the left hand separately, then combine both hands in parallel motion. Gradually increase tempo using a metronome. Aim for even tone on every note: scales should sound smooth, not accented on thumb-crossings.

What chords come from the E Major Scale?

The seven diatonic chords built from the E Major Scale are: I (E Major), ii minor, iii minor, IV Major, V Major, vi minor, and vii diminished. These seven chords are the harmonic foundation of all music in E Major.

What is the formula for any major scale?

Every major scale follows the same whole-step (W) and half-step (H) pattern: W–W–H–W–W–W–H. Starting from any root note, apply this pattern and you will always arrive at the correct major scale for that key. The E Major Scale applies this formula starting on E.