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