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Anthropology in E
Anthropology in E — Charlie Parker's blazing rhythm changes contrafact, demanding fluency through ii-V-I sequences at full bebop speed. Bebop scales are non-negotiable here; Mixolydian connects the bridge's dominant cycle. Changes: Emaj7 – C#7 – F#m7 – B7 – G#m7 – Bm7 – E7 – A7 – D7 – E6 – G#7 – F#7.
Key of E
E major is arguably guitar's most powerful key. The open low E and high E strings ring sympathetically as the root, while the open B provides the fifth. This triple reinforcement gives E-based riffs and chords unmatched depth and volume. E is a beginner-level key on guitar because both the low E and high E strings ring as the root, and the open B is the fifth — three open strings reinforce the tonic chord. Beginners will find this key approachable since most chords use open voicings with minimal stretching.
Voice Leading
The bass line moves through E to C# (descending minor third), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to G# (descending minor third), G# to B (ascending minor third), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to E (ascending whole step), E to G# (ascending major third), G# to F# (descending whole step). The root motion by larger intervals (fourths and fifths) gives each chord change a strong, decisive character. When the progression loops, the bass returns from F# to E by whole step.
Scales for Improvisation
E major pentatonic works because every note is either a chord tone or a safe passing tone — there are no avoid notes. For soloing, this means you can play freely without clashing. Over dominant seventh chords, E Mixolydian adds the flat seventh for an authentic blues-rock edge.