Second Wind in E

Second Wind in E

Second Wind in E: Rebeca Mauléon-Santana, as played by Tito Puente's mambo. Bebop Major and Major Pentatonic scales bring out the groove and energy of these changes. Chords: A – G – A7 – G#m7b5 – C#7 – F#m7 – F7 – E – DmMaj7 – Bm7 – E7 – Em7 – Am7 – B7.

Second Wind 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 A to G (descending whole step), G to A (ascending whole step), A to G# (descending half step), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to F (descending half step), F to E (descending half step), E to D (descending whole step), D to B (descending minor third), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to E (ascending unison), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to B (ascending whole step). 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 B to A by whole 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.