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Emaj7(Major 7th Chord)

A major triad with a major seventh. Warm, sophisticated sound used in jazz and R&B.

Notes
E – G# – B – D#
Intervals (semitones)
0 – 4 – 7 – 11
Type
7th Chord

🎹 Emaj7 on Piano

Press highlighted keys simultaneously to play the Emaj7 chord.

R
E(Root (R))
2
G#(Major 3rd)
3
B(Perfect 5th)
4
D#(Major 7th)

🎸 Emaj7 on Guitar

The Emaj7 chord uses notes E, G#, B, D#. Build a voicing by finding these notes on any strings — root on the 6th string is a common starting point for barre chord shapes.

Interval Analysis

DegreeInterval NameSemitonesNote in E
RootRoot (R)0E
3rdMajor 3rd4G#
5thPerfect 5th7B
7thMajor 7th11D#

About the E Major 7th Chord

The Emaj7 chord (E Major 7th) consists of 4 notes: E, G#, B, D#. A major triad with a major seventh. Warm, sophisticated sound used in jazz and R&B.

To build any major 7th chord, apply intervals of 0, 4, 7, 11 semitones above the root. Starting from E: the notes land on E, G#, B, D#.

Playing Emaj7 on Piano

Press E, G#, B, D# simultaneously. In root position, E is lowest. First inversion places G# in the bass for a lighter sound; second inversion uses B as the bass note.

Common Chord Progressions Using Emaj7

  • I–IV–V: Emaj7 – Amaj7 – Bmaj7 (blues and rock)
  • I–V–vi–IV: Emaj7 – B – C#m – A (pop staple)
  • I–vi–IV–V: Emaj7 – C#m – A – B (50s progression)

The Emaj7 Chord in Context

As a major 7th chord, Emaj7 is the tonic (I) in the key of E major. It also appears as the IV chord in B major, and as the V chord in A major — making it one of the most important chords across all of Western music.

Other E Chords

E
Major
Em
Minor
E7
Dominant 7th
Em7
Minor 7th
Edim
Diminished
Eaug
Augmented

Major 7th Chord in All 12 Keys

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🎹 Virtual Piano
Play Emaj7 on piano
🎸 Virtual Guitar
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🎵 E Scale
Notes that fit Emaj7
🎶 Songs
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FAQ

Emaj7 Chord — Frequently Asked Questions

What notes are in the Emaj7 chord?
The E Major 7th chord contains: E, G#, B, D#. These notes are derived by applying the major 7th interval formula (0–4–7–11 semitones) to the root note E.
What is the Emaj7 chord used for?
A major triad with a major seventh. Warm, sophisticated sound used in jazz and R&B. The Emaj7 chord is used across pop, rock, jazz, and classical music. As the I chord in the key of E major, it functions as the most stable resting point in progressions.
How do you play Emaj7 on piano?
On piano, play E, G#, B, D# simultaneously. In root position, E is the lowest note. Inversions move the bass note up — first inversion has G# lowest, second inversion has B lowest.
How many notes are in a major 7th chord?
A major 7th chord has 4 notes: E, G#, B, D# (in E). It is a 7th chord, extending beyond the basic triad.
What is the difference between E major and E minor?
The E major chord (E–G#–B) uses a major third (4 semitones), giving it a bright, happy sound. The E minor chord (E–G–B) uses a minor third (3 semitones), giving it a darker, emotional sound.
What key does Emaj7 belong to?
Emaj7 naturally serves as the I chord in the key of E major. It also appears as IV in the key of B major, and as V in the key of A major.
Can I play Emaj7 on ukulele?
Yes. The ukulele uses GCEA tuning with 4 strings. The Emaj7 chord notes (E, G#, B, D#) can be fretted on a ukulele, though the shapes differ from guitar due to the 4-string layout and shorter scale.
What chords go well with Emaj7?
In the key of E major, Emaj7 pairs naturally with A major (IV), B major (V), and C#m (vi). The classic I–IV–V (Emaj7–A–B) is the foundation of blues, country, and rock.
What is a chord inversion of Emaj7?
An inversion places a non-root note in the bass. Emaj7 root position: E in bass. First inversion: G# in bass. Second inversion: B in bass. Inversions create smoother bass line movement without changing the harmony.
How do I memorize the notes in a major 7th chord?
Remember the formula: 0–4–7–11 semitones from root. For Emaj7: start on E, add 4 semitones, then 7 semitones, then 11 semitones. Practicing this across all 12 roots builds instant recognition of any major 7th chord.