Let It Be in E

Paul McCartney / the Beatles(1970)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A

Chord Diagrams — Let It Be in E (Guitar)

Display
FingerNoteDegree

Let It Be 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 A (ascending perfect fourth), A to C# (ascending major third). 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 C# to B 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. Layer in the full major scale for melodic runs, reserving the pentatonic for riff-based phrases.

swing4/4 · 17 bars · Form: A

Chords: B, E, A, C♯m.

Scales for Improvisation E bebop, E bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of E