Where or When in E

Richard Rodgers / Lorenz Hart(1937)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B

Chord Diagrams — Where or When in E (Guitar)

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Where or When 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 C# (descending minor third), C# to A# (descending minor third), A# to A (descending half step), A to G# (descending half step), G# to F# (descending whole step), F# to E (descending whole step), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to A (ascending unison), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to C# (descending half step), C# to B (descending whole step), B to D# (ascending major third), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to B (ascending unison), B to A (descending whole step), A to G# (descending half step), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to E (descending whole step). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The mix of stepwise and leap motion balances smoothness with harmonic drive. When the progression loops, the bass returns from E to E by unison.

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 · 32 bars · Form: AB

Chords: EMaj7, C♯m7, A♯m7♭5, A7, G♯m7, F♯m7, E7, AMaj7, Am7, D7, C♯7, B7, D♯m7♭5, G♯7♭9, C♯m11, F♯9, B7♭9, Bm9, AMaj9, G♯m7♭5, C♯7♭9, F♯7, E6.

Scales for Improvisation E bebop, E bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of E