ScalesE Major
Guitar scale · fretboard map
E Major Scale
The E Major scale is built from the notes E, F#, G#, A, B, C#, and D#, also known as the Ionian mode. The diagram below maps every one of those notes across the guitar neck, from the open strings up to the 12th fret, with the root E highlighted.
The major scale is the do-re-mi scale: bright and resolved, and the foundation almost all Western melody and harmony is measured against.
Notes in the E Major scale
E1
F#2
G#3
A4
B5
C#6
D#7
E Major scale on the fretboard
root (E) other scale notes
Chords in the key of E major →
See the seven chords that come from this scale, plus common progressions in the key.
Explore this on the interactive fretboard →
The free Fretboard Explorer lets you switch keys and see the CAGED shapes and scale overlays tile the whole neck.
Other scales in E
E Natural MinorE Major PentatonicE Minor PentatonicE BluesE DorianE PhrygianE LydianE MixolydianE Harmonic Minor
The major scale in other keys
Frequently asked questions
- What notes are in the E Major scale?
- The E Major scale contains 7 notes: E, F#, G#, A, B, C#, and D#. As scale degrees those are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
- How do you play the E Major scale on guitar?
- Every note above is shown on the fretboard diagram, from the open strings up to the 12th fret, with the root (E) highlighted. The pattern is movable: learn the shape once and you can slide it to start on any root. Anchor your playing to the E notes so the scale sounds resolved.
- What is the E Major scale used for?
- The major scale is the do-re-mi scale: bright and resolved, and the foundation almost all Western melody and harmony is measured against. Once the shape is under your fingers, try improvising over a backing track in E and listen for how each note pulls back toward the root.