El Manisero in E

Moisés Simons(1930)sonSon ♩= 104 (2-3 Clave)
Clave 3-2
A
B
A
B
Variation

Chord Diagrams — El Manisero in E (Guitar)

El Manisero in E

El Manisero in E: Moisés Simons's son cubano. Mixolydian and Major Pentatonic scales bring out the groove and energy of these changes. Chords: E6 – A – B7 – EMaj7 – F#m7 – G#m7 – B.

El Manisero in 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 A (ascending perfect fourth), A to B (ascending whole step), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to F# (ascending whole step), F# to G# (ascending whole step), G# to B (ascending minor third). The mix of stepwise and leap motion balances smoothness with harmonic drive. When the progression loops, the bass returns from B to E by perfect fourth.

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.

son4/4 · 28 bars · Form: ABAB

Chords: E6, A, B7, EMaj7, F♯m7, G♯m7, B.

Scales for Improvisation E bebop, E bebop major.