How to Play an E Major Chord on the Piano

The E major scale consists of four sharps, but only one of them is used in the E major chord. The E major chord, also referred to as an E major triad, uses the keys E, G# (sharp) and B. Played in this order together, they become the root position E major chord. You can also rearrange these notes to play in an inversion of the E major triad, but you must only play E, G# and B.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Keyboard

Right Hand

1. Place your thumb on the root of the scale, which is E.

2. Count up a major third from E and place your middle finger on G#.

3. Move up a perfect fifth from the root and place your little finger on B.

4. Press all three keys simultaneously to play an E major chord in root position.

5. Put your thumb on G#, your index finger on B and your fifth finger on E, located an octave above the original bass note. Press these keys simultaneously to play the first inversion of the E major chord.

6. Bring your thumb up to B, your middle finger to E and your little finger to G#. Press these keys simultaneously to play the second inversion of the E major chord.

Left Hand

7. Place your little finger on E.

8. Count up a major third and place your middle finger on G#.

9. Move up a perfect fifth from E, and place your thumb on B.

10. Press all three keys simultaneously to play the root position of the E major chord.

11. Put your little finger on G#, middle finger on B and your thumb on E. Press these three keys simultaneously to play the first inversion of the E major chord.

12. Bring your little finger up to B, your index finger to E and your thumb to G#. Press these keys simultaneously to play the second inversion of the E major chord.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are playing a first inversion chord, the intervals from the bass note are a third and a sixth. These chords are also referred to as 6/3 chords because of their intervals.
• If you are playing a second inversion chord, the intervals from the bass note are a fourth and a sixth. These chords are also referred to as 6/4 chords because of their intervals.