Looking up the key and tempo of Like It Was (From Merrily We Roll Along)? Julie Andrews's track sits in E Major at 91 BPM (Camelot 12B). Whether you're learning it on guitar, setting up a cover in the right key, or mixing it into a DJ set, here are the scale notes, chords, and compatible keys.
Scale & Notes of E Major
The E Major scale is built from these seven notes:
EF#G#ABC#D#
Its relative key is C# Minor (same notes), and its parallel key is E Minor. If you're transposing or looking for a vocal-comfortable key, those are the natural neighbours.
Chords in E Major
The seven diatonic triads in this key — the chord palette most of the song will draw from:
| Degree | Chord | Quality |
|---|
| I | E | Major |
| ii | F#m | Minor |
| iii | G#m | Minor |
| IV | A | Major |
| V | B | Major |
| vi | C#m | Minor |
| vii° | D#dim | Diminished |
Indian Classical: the Bhairav thaat
In Hindustani classical terms, E Major maps to the Bhairav thaat (Western mode: Double Harmonic Major (Byzantine)). Double Harmonic Major scale — the same exotic scale used in Middle Eastern and flamenco music. Two augmented 2nd intervals give it a dramatic, ancient quality. Also called Byzantine or Arabic scale. Traditional listening time: Morning (dawn, 6–9 am).
If you want to sing or practise in this key, set your tonic (Sa) to E. Ragas built on this thaat:
- Bhairav — Full Double Harmonic scale — augmented 2nds on Re and Dha. Austere, devotional, meditative.
- Ahir Bhairav — Double Harmonic with ♮6 in ascent — gentler character. Soothing, contemplative (Morning).
- Ramkali — Double Harmonic with ♯4 (adds Lydian touch to Bhairav). Serious, traditional.
- Kalingada — Double Harmonic, omits 6th — sparse and austere. Grave, solitary.
Set Tanpura to E →Practise in this key →Find another song's key →
Harmonic mixing (for DJs)
Like It Was (From Merrily We Roll Along) sits at Camelot 12B. For a smooth harmonic transition, mix it with tracks in 11B, 12A, 1B — adjacent keys on the Camelot wheel that share most of their notes.