E Major Ukulele Arpeggio
Ukulele arpeggio — fretboard diagram
E Major Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: E, G#, B
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 5P
Formula: 2W-WH
Number of notes: 3
Also known as: M, ^, , maj
The E Major arpeggio contains 3 notes (E, G#, B). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Ukulele with different tunings and fret ranges.
When to Use the E Major Arpeggio
Play the E Major arpeggio whenever a E Major chord appears in a progression. Unlike scales (which include passing tones), arpeggios guarantee every note you play IS a chord tone, making your solo sound harmonically precise and intentional.
Arpeggio vs. Scale
The E Major arpeggio uses 3 notes (E, G#, B) while the full scale uses 7. The arpeggio is a subset — think of it as the skeleton of the scale. Practice alternating between the arpeggio and the full scale to develop a melodic vocabulary that mixes chord tones with passing tones.
How to Play E Major Arpeggio on Ukulele
On ukulele, find E around fret 4 and play through the arpeggio tones (E, G#, B). With 3 notes, this arpeggio fits within a single chord shape on the ukulele. Try picking through the E Major chord form to hear the arpeggio in context.
The E Major arpeggio outlines a E major chord and works perfectly over E, Emaj7, E6 harmonies. It is a foundational arpeggio for soloing over major-key progressions and emphasizes the bright, resolved character of the major triad.
Practice Routine
Practice the E Major arpeggio in different octaves, starting low and working up. Then try displacing the octaves — play the root low, the G# an octave higher, and continue leaping. This trains your ear to hear the intervals (1P, 3M, 5P) in any register.
Ukulele Tips
On ukulele, integrate the E Major arpeggio into your fingerpicking by plucking through the chord shape one note at a time. This transforms a static strum into a melodic, harp-like texture that showcases each interval clearly.