How Little We Know in E

Hoagy Carmichael / Johnny Mercer(1944)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A

Chord Diagrams — How Little We Know in E (Guitar)

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How Little We Know in E

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 B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to F# (ascending whole step), F# to G# (ascending whole step), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to F (descending half step), F to A (ascending major third), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to E (ascending whole step), E to G (ascending minor third), G to G# (ascending half step), G# to G (descending half step), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to B (descending half step), B to B (ascending unison), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to E (ascending unison), E to B (descending perfect fourth). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The mix of stepwise and leap motion balances smoothness with harmonic drive. When the progression loops, the bass returns from B to B by unison.

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.

swing4/4 · 33 bars · Form: A

Chords: B7, EMaj7, F♯m7, G♯m7, C♯m7, F♯m9, F7, Am9, D13, E69, Gm7, G♯m9, Gm9, C9, B7♭9, Bm9, E13, E7♭9, B7sus4.

Scales for Improvisation E bebop, E bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of E