It Never Entered My Mind in E

Richard Rodgers()balladModerately Slow

It Never Entered My Mind in E

It Never Entered My Mind in 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 G# (ascending major third), G# to F# (descending whole step), F# to F# (ascending unison), F# to D (descending major third), D to B (descending minor third), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to E (ascending unison), E to A# (ascending tritone), A# to A (descending half step), A to G# (descending half step). 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 G# to E by major third.

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.

ballad4/4 · 32 bars · Form: AABA

Chords: E, G♯m, F♯m7, F♯m, D7/g, B7, E6, EMaj7, A♯dim7, A, G♯m7.

Scales for Improvisation E bebop, E bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of E