O Pato (The Duck) in E

O Pato (The Duck) in E

O Pato (The Duck) in E — Jaime Silva & Neuza Teixiera's samba classic. Explore Bebop Major and Lydian scales over these sophisticated changes. Chords: E6/9 – F#9 – F#m9 – B9 – Emaj9 – B7b9 – Bm7 – Bm9 – E7b9 – Amaj9 – A6 – B13 – Emaj7 – E9 – Amaj7 – Am6 – G#m7 – F#m7 – C#7b9.

O Pato (The Duck) 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 F# (ascending whole step), F# to F# (ascending unison), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to B (descending perfect fourth), B to B (ascending unison), B to B (ascending unison), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to A (ascending unison), A to B (ascending whole step), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to E (ascending unison), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to A (ascending unison), A to G# (descending half step), G# to F# (descending whole step), F# to C# (descending perfect fourth). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The predominantly stepwise bass motion creates smooth, connected voice leading. When the progression loops, the bass returns from C# to E by minor third.

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.