Scale degrees · E major
The ♯5 of E is B♯
The ♯5 (sharp five, written #5) of E is B♯ (B sharp): an augmented fifth above the root.
E — the root, 1B♯ — the ♯5
How to find it
Count letters first, the root included: E, F, G, A, B. A 5th lands on B.
Then the sound: an augmented fifth is 8 semitones above E, and the B that is 8 semitones up is B♯.
That is why it is B♯ and not C: C is the same key on the piano, but from E it would be a 6th, not a 5th.
Where you meet it
The ♯5 is the 5th of the augmented chord. Over a dominant the same key on the piano is usually written ♭13.
In E+:
E · G♯ · B♯
The ♯5 in every key
| Key | The ♯5 |
|---|---|
| C | G♯ |
| G | D♯ |
| D | A♯ |
| A | E♯ |
| E | B♯ |
| B | F𝄪 |
| F♯ | C𝄪 |
| D♭ | A |
| A♭ | E |
| E♭ | B |
| B♭ | F♯ |
| F | C♯ |
Every degree of E
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