E Piano Chords
Every E chord a keyboard or piano player needs — each shown three ways: the exact keys to press (root circled), a photo of the chord under real hands, and standard staff notation. 10 chords in this key.
Hear any of these chords and try every key on the interactive Chord Finder.
E — Major
E · G♯ · B
The E chord is built from the root, a major third, and a perfect fifth — E, G♯, B. Bright and stable — the first chord most pianists learn and the anchor of countless songs.
Em — Minor
E · G · B
The Em chord is built from the root, a minor third, and a perfect fifth — E, G, B. Darker and more wistful than major, and just as common across every style.
Eaug — Augmented
E · G♯ · B♯
The Eaug chord is built from the root, a major third, and a raised fifth — E, G♯, B♯. Restless and dreamlike; often a stepping-stone between two ordinary chords.
Esus4 — Suspended fourth
E · A · B
The Esus4 chord is built from the root, a perfect fourth, and a perfect fifth (the fourth replaces the third) — E, A, B. Open and suspended — it leans forward and loves to resolve to the plain major chord.
Emaj7 — Major seventh
E · G♯ · B · D♯
The Emaj7 chord is built from a major triad plus a major seventh — E, G♯, B, D♯. Lush, warm and jazzy — the classic "dreamy" piano sound.
E7 — Dominant seventh
E · G♯ · B · D
The E7 chord is built from a major triad plus a minor seventh — E, G♯, B, D. Bluesy and unresolved; the workhorse of blues, gospel and jazz turnarounds.
Em7 — Minor seventh
E · G · B · D
The Em7 chord is built from a minor triad plus a minor seventh — E, G, B, D. Mellow and smooth — the backbone of soul, R&B and jazz comping.
Em7b5 — Half-diminished (m7♭5)
E · G · B♭ · D
The Em7b5 chord is built from a diminished triad plus a minor seventh — E, G, B♭, D. Also called half-diminished; most often the "ii" chord that opens a minor ii–V–i.
Edim7 — Diminished seventh
E · G · B♭ · D♭
The Edim7 chord is built from four notes stacked in minor thirds — E, G, B♭, D♭. Maximally tense and perfectly symmetrical — a favourite for passing and leading between chords.
Em6 — Minor sixth
E · G · B · C♯
The Em6 chord is built from a minor triad plus a major sixth — E, G, B, C♯. Moody and sophisticated — a staple of jazz standards.