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Tea For Two in E
This cabaret classic's relentless ii-V-I motion is a disciplined training ground for Dorian, Mixolydian, and Bebop Major language deployed in E. The symmetrical phrase structure demands harmonic precision and motivic development in equal measure. The F#m7 – B7 – Emaj7 – A7 – G#m7 – C#7 – A#m7 – D#7 – G#maj7 – Cm7 – F7 – G#m7b5 – C#7b9 – G#dim7 – Amaj7 – F#m7/Ab – D7 – Gdim7 – E6 changes are used by generations of jazz educators to build ii-V-I fluency and consistent swing.
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 F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to G# (descending half step), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to A# (descending minor third), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to C (ascending major third), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to G# (ascending minor third), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to G# (descending perfect fourth), G# to A (ascending half step), A to F# (descending minor third), F# to D (descending major third), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to E (descending minor third). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. 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 E to F# 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.