Playing chords on the piano is an essential skill for any pianist. The E chord, or E major, is one of the first chords most beginners learn. With some practice, you can easily play the E chord using the first finger. In this blog, we’ll break down the process in simple steps to help you start with the right-hand fingering for an E chord. Let’s dive right in and explore the basics of the E major chord, including how it is constructed, which fingers to use, how to move it through various chord inversions, and which other chords are related to the key of E major.
What is the E-chord?
Before we dive into playing the E chord on the piano, it’s essential to understand what a chord is. In simple terms, a chord combines three or more notes played together.
The E chord is a major triad chord. It consists of the notes E, G#, and B. On the piano, an E chord is comprised of the notes:
– E – 1st finger on the E key
– G# – 2nd finger on G# key
– B – 3rd finger on B key
The E chord is one of the most commonly used chords in music. Mastering this chord will allow you to play thousands of popular songs.
How to Play the E Chord
Playing the E chord on the piano is easy once you know the notes involved. Now, let’s learn how to play it!
Locate the Notes-
– E is located directly below the middle C note.
– G# is the black key to the right of E.
– B is two white keys to the right of E.
Position Your Hand and Fingers-
- Place your right thumb on the E key and the white key immediately to the left of the two black keys.
- Place your middle finger on the G# key, which is the black key, immediately to the right of the G key.
- Place your little finger on the B key,the white key immediately to the right of the two black keys.
Your thumb can rest behind your fingers. Keep your wrist relaxed and your fingers curved.
Play the Notes Together-
– Press down all three notes simultaneously with your fingers to play the E chord.
Make sure you hold the notes down fully so the chord rings out clearly.
Playing the E Chord in Root Position
E Chord Position: Find the E note on the keyboard. It’s the white key immediately to the left of a group of two black keys. Press down E with your thumb.
G# Note: Locate G# by moving two keys to the right from E (skip the black key in between). Use your middle finger to press G#.
B Note: Finally, find B by moving four keys to the right from G# (skip the black key). Play B with your little finger.
Playing Together: Play all three notes (E, G#, B) together.
You’ve just played the E chord in the root position!
Inverted E Chords
Now that you’ve mastered the root position E chord, let’s explore some inverted versions:
First Inversion E Chord:
- Start with G# as the lowest note (play G# with your thumb ).
- Follow with B (use your middle finger).
- Finish with E (play E with your little finger)
Congratulations! You played the E chord in the first inversion.
Second Inversion E Chord:
- Begin with B at the bottom (press B with your thumb).
- Move to E (use your middle finger).
- End with G# (play G# with your little finger).
You’ve now played the E chord in the second inversion.
Tips for Playing the E Chord
These valuable tips can help you master the E chord:
- Posture – Sit up straight at the piano. Don’t slouch your shoulders. Keep your wrists loose.
- Hand position – Keep your palm directly behind your fingers as you press the keys.
- Finger placement – Use the pads of your fingertips to press the keys straight down.
- Listen – Press the notes down together simultaneously. Listen to the triad sound.
- Practice slowly – Take your time and be precise with finger placement. Speed will come later.
- Relax – Avoid tension in your hands, wrists, and arms. The notes should sound clear without straining.
Common Variations of the E Chord
There are a few common variations of the E chord:
- E major – The basic E chord triad (E, G#, B).
- E minor – Lower the middle note to G natural.
- E7 – Play the E chord, then add your little finger on the D note.
- E minor 7 – E minor chord with added little finger on D.
- E major 7 – E chord with an added little finger on D#.
Feel free to experiment with these variations to expand your musical repertoire.
How to Use the E Chord
Examples of how the E chord can be used in songs:
– Play E to A as I-IV chords in a simple song.
– Switch between E and E7 in a blues or rock progression.
– Move between E minor and E major for an emotional sound.
– Play E before moving to A major to end a song.
– Strum E minor 7-E7 as a tense progression in jazz or R&B songs.
Any time you see a song containing E, Em, E7, or other E chords, you’ll know how to play them!
Get More Comfortable with the E Chord
The best way to get comfortable using the E chord is to practice it regularly.
– Practice switching between E major and E minor chords.
– Work on your finger dexterity by alternating E chord inversions.
– Look up simple chord charts using E chords and play along.
– Strum the E chord changing rhythms – steadily, syncopated, arpeggiated, etc.
– Use the E chord as a drone and improvise a melody with your right hand.
– Say chord tones out loud as you play the E chord to get them in your ear.
Keep going even if the E chord feels uncomfortable at first. Be patient and keep practicing in short intervals every day. You’ll be playing the E chord with ease in no time!
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Fun Songs to Play Using the E Chord
Now that you’ve learned how to play the E chord, you can play some popular songs that feature this chord. Here are a few to get you started:
- “Imagine” by John Lennon: This classic song features the E chord and is excellent for practicing chord transitions.
- “Counting Stars” by OneRepublic: Another popular song with the E chord that’s fun to play.
- “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz: This song uses the E chord prominently and is perfect for beginners.
- “With or Without You” by U2: This iconic song includes the E chord and is a great way to challenge yourself.
Know more popular songs to play on piano: Click here!
FAQ’s
What three notes make up the E major chord on the piano?
E, G#, and B make up the E major chord.
Which fingers should you use to play the E major chord on the piano in the root position?
The thumb on E, middle finger on G#, and little finger on B are used to play the E major chord.
How can you practice playing the E major chord on the piano?
- Start by practicing playing the individual notes of the chord. Try playing them as a chord once you can play them all evenly.
- You can also practice playing the chord in different rhythms. For example, try playing it once slowly, then once quickly.
- Once you feel comfortable playing the chord with your right hand, try playing it with your left hand.
- You can also play the chord in different positions on the keyboard. For example, try playing it in the middle of the keyboard, then near the top, and then near the bottom.
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Conclusion
Playing the E chord on the piano is a significant step in your musical journey as a beginner. But keep in mind that practice is the key to mastering this skill. Start with the basic E chord in the root position and gradually progress to inverted versions, such as the 1st inversion with the notes G# B E and the second inversion with the notes B E G#. With patience, dedication, and practice, you’ll become a pro at playing the E chord and be ready to tackle even more exciting piano pieces, like the C major chord. So, don’t wait any longer – grab your keyboard and start making beautiful music today! Learn about our exclusive piano classes!