Scale degrees · E major

The 4 of E is A

The 4 (four) of E is A: a perfect fourth above the root.

E — the root, 1A — the 4

How to find it

Count letters first, the root included: E, F, G, A. A 4th lands on A.

Then the sound: a perfect fourth is 5 semitones above E, which is exactly where A is — no sharp or flat needed.

Where you meet it

The 4 sits a half step above the major 3rd. In a sus chord it takes the 3rd's place; an octave up it is the 11.

In Esus4:

E · A · B

The 4 in every key

KeyThe 4
CF
GC
DG
AD
EA
BE
F♯B
D♭G♭
A♭D♭
E♭A♭
B♭E♭
FB♭

Every degree of E

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