Three O'Clock in the Morning in E

Dorothy Terriss / Julian Robledo(1919)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
F♯m/B
F♯m/B
F♯m/B
F♯m/B
Eaug7
EMaj7/G♯
F♯m/B

Chord Diagrams — Three O'Clock in the Morning in E (Guitar)

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Three O'Clock in the Morning 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 E to F# (ascending whole step), F# to G# (ascending whole step), G# to G (descending half step), G to F# (descending half step), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to F# (descending perfect fourth), F# to F# (ascending unison), F# to E (descending whole step), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to C# (ascending major third), C# to E (ascending minor third), E to C# (descending minor third), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth). 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 F# to E 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.

swing3/4 · 33 bars · Form: A

Chords: EMaj7, F♯m/B, G♯m, Gdim, F♯m, B7, F♯mMaj7, F♯m7, Eaug7, AMaj7, C♯7♯9, EMaj7/G♯, C♯m, F♯7.

Scales for Improvisation E bebop, E bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of E