Voyage in E

Kenny Barron(1986)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
Em69
Fm69
Em69
Em69
Em69
Fm69
Em69

Chord Diagrams — Voyage in E (Guitar)

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Voyage 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 half step), F to E (descending half step), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to B (ascending whole step), B to F# (descending perfect fourth), F# to C (ascending tritone), C to G# (descending major third), G# to D# (descending perfect fourth), D# to C# (descending whole step), C# to A (descending major third), A to E (descending perfect fourth), E to D (descending whole step), D to A# (descending major third), A# to F (descending perfect fourth), F to D# (descending whole step). 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 D# to E by half 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.

swing4/4 · 25 bars · Form: AB

Chords: Em69, Fm69, E7♭9, Am7, B7, F♯m7♭5, CMaj7, G♯7, D♯m7, C♯Maj7, A7, Em7, DMaj7, A♯7, Fm7, D♯Maj7.

Scales for Improvisation E bebop minor, E bebop.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of E