Explore More

Oh! Look At Me Now 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 F# (descending perfect fourth), F# to E (descending whole step), E to E (ascending unison), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to B (ascending whole step), B to G# (descending minor third), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to G (ascending tritone), G to A# (ascending minor third), A# to F (descending perfect fourth), F to D# (descending whole step), D# to C# (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 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. Over dominant seventh chords, E Mixolydian adds the flat seventh for an authentic blues-rock edge.

medium-swing4/4 · 32 bars · Form: ABA

Chords: B7, F♯7, Emaj7, Em7, A7, Bmaj7, G♯7, C♯7, G7, A♯7, F7, D♯m7, C♯m7.

Scales for Improvisation E bebop, E bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of E