In this video
This lesson introduces the E major chord explorer while laying out the music theory that underpins the whole Chord Explorer series: the circle of fifths.
The circle of fifths is explained from scratch, starting with how it differs from the simple chromatic note circle and why it moves in fifth intervals (the same distance as a power chord). The lesson then shows how position on the circle affects the emotional quality of a key, with C, F and G sitting at the stable top, brighter keys like D, A and E moving clockwise, and darker or more unstable keys moving anticlockwise toward E flat and F sharp.
The lesson covers:
The circle of fifths explained — how all 12 keys relate to each other and why this matters for guitarists
Stable vs unstable — why some chord movements feel resolved and others create tension
Bright vs dark — how the emotional quality of a key changes as you move around the circle
Why E major — how E sits at the heart of blues and rock guitar, and what makes it particularly rich territory for both acoustic and electric players