Scale reference
E major scale
E – F♯ – G♯ – A – B – C♯ – D♯
The E major scale runs E, F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯, D♯ and then back to E. It follows the major step pattern — tone, tone, semitone, tone, tone, tone, semitone — which is what makes it major rather than any other kind of scale.
It uses each letter name once, which is why it is written with 4 sharps.
The notes
The step pattern
Every major scale uses the same sequence of steps. Change the starting note and the pattern is what you keep.
- E1tone
- F♯2tone
- G♯3semi
- A4tone
- B5tone
- C♯6tone
- D♯7semi
- E8
Scale degrees
| Degree | Note | Name | Interval from E | Semitones |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | E | Tonic | Perfect unison | 0 |
| 2 | F♯ | Supertonic | Major second | 2 |
| 3 | G♯ | Mediant | Major third | 4 |
| 4 | A | Subdominant | Perfect fourth | 5 |
| 5 | B | Dominant | Perfect fifth | 7 |
| 6 | C♯ | Submediant | Major sixth | 9 |
| 7 | D♯ | Leading tone | Major seventh | 11 |
Key signature
E major is the scale of the key of E major, which has 4 sharps. The key page lists the seven chords built on these notes.