E (musical note)

{ \new Staff \with{ \magnifyStaff #3/2 } << \time 2/1 \override Score.TimeSignature #'stencil = ##f { \clef bass e1_E \clef treble e' } >> }

E is the third note and the fifth semitone of the C major scale, and mi in fixed-do solfège. It has enharmonic equivalents of F♭ [(F-flat) which is by definition a diatonic semitone above E] and Ddouble sharp (D-double sharp), amongst others.

When calculated in equal temperament with a reference of A above middle C as 440 Hz, the frequency of Middle E (E4) is approximately 329.628 Hz.[1] See pitch (music) for a discussion of historical variations in frequency.

Designation by octave

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Scientific designation Helmholtz designation Octave name Frequency (Hz)
E−1 E͵͵͵ or ͵͵͵E or EEEE Subsubcontra 10.301
E0 E͵͵ or ͵͵E or EEE Subcontra 20.602
E1 E͵ or ͵E or EE Contra 41.203
E2 E Great 82.407
E3 e Small 164.814
E4 e One-lined 329.628
E5 e Two-lined 659.255
E6 e Three-lined 1318.51
E7 e Four-lined 2637.02
E8 e Five-lined 5274.041
E9 e Six-lined 10548.082
E10 e Seven-lined 21096.164

Scales

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Common scales in the key of E.

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E major modes (diatonic scales).

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E harmonic minor modes

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  • E harmonic minor: E F G A B C D E
  • E Locrian 6: E F G A B C D E
  • E Ionian 5: E F G A B C D E
  • E Dorian 4: E F G A B C D E
  • E Phrygian 3: E F G A B C D E
  • E Lydian 2: E Fdouble sharp G A B C D E
  • E Superlocrian bb7: E F G A B C D E

E harmonic major modes

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  • E Harmonic Major: E F G A B C D E
  • E Dorian 5: E F G A B C D E
  • E Phrygian 4: E F G A B C D E
  • E Lydian 3: E F G A B C D E
  • E Mixolydian 2: E F G A B C D E
  • E Lydian Augmented 2: E Fdouble sharp G A B C D E
  • E Locrian double flat7: E F G A B C D E

F-flat

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{ \new Staff \with{ \magnifyStaff #3/2 } << \time 2/1 \override Score.TimeSignature #'stencil = ##f { \clef bass fes1_F-flat \clef treble fes' } >> }

F is a common enharmonic equivalent of E, but is not regarded as the same note. F is commonly found after E in the same measure in pieces where E is in the key signature, in order to represent a diatonic, rather than a chromatic semitone; writing an E with a following E is regarded as a chromatic alteration of one scale degree.

References

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  1. ^ Suits, B. H. (1998). "Physics of Music Notes - Scales: Just vs Equal Temperament". MTU.edu. Michigan Technological University. Retrieved 5 February 2024.

See also

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