E Major Piano Chord
Root
E3rd
G#5th
BE
G
B
D
F
F
A
C
E
E
G#
B
The Notes in an E Major Chord
The Root
You'll have no trouble finding the root of an E Major chord, because it's what gives an E Major chord it's name: It's the note E.
The 3rd
The third of an E Major chord is G#. The third is up four half-steps from the Root.
Finding G# from E step by step:
- Start on: E
- Step 1: move up to F
- Step 2: move up to F#
- Step 3: move up to G
- Step 4: Land on G#
3rd
G#Root
E1
2
3
- F is a minor second above E.
- F# is a major 2nd above E.
- G is a minor third above E.
- G# is a major third above E.
The 5th
The fifth of an E Major chord is B. The fifth is down five half-steps from the Root.
Finding B from E step by step:
- Start on: E
- Step 1: move down to D#
- Step 2: move down to D
- Step 3: move down to C#
- Step 4: move down to C
- Step 5: Land on B
5th
BRoot
E1
2
3
4
- D# is a minor second below E.
- D is a major 2nd below E.
- C# is a minor third below E.
- C is a major third below E.
- B is a fourth below E. The 5th is down a fourth? Confusing, right? The note B is down 5 half-steps from E, but up 7 half-steps from E:
5th
BRoot
E1
2
3
4
5
6
The Inversions of E Major
Root Position
Root
E3rd
G#5th
BE
G
B
D
F
F
A
C
E
E
G#
B
1st Inversion
3rd
G#5th
BRoot
EE
G
B
D
F
F
A
C
E
G#
B
E
2nd Inversion
5th
BRoot
E3rd
G#E
G
B
D
F
F
A
C
E
B
E
G#