Chord · Major

How to play the E major chord on guitar

E major (E) in standard tuning (EADGBE). Play the shape 022100 from the low E string to the high E string. The chord tones are E, G#, B, and the lowest sounding note is E.

Fingering chart

String	Fret	Note
6th (low E)	Open	E
5th (A)	2	B
4th (D)	2	E
3rd (G)	1	G#
2nd (B)	Open	B
1st (high E)	Open	E

Notes and intervals

Formula 1 3 5. This shape sounds each chord tone.

Note	Degree	Interval from E	In this shape
E	1	Root (0 semitones)	Yes
G#	3	Major 3rd (4 semitones)	Yes
B	5	Perfect 5th (7 semitones)	Yes

Changing chords from E

E sounds six strings: three fretted positions between frets 1 and 2, plus three open strings. The quickest changes leave fretted notes where they are, so the hand pivots instead of lifting off the neck. These are the chords in this library that share the most fretted notes with the E shape.

E to E7: keep two fretted notes in place (5th string fret 2, 3rd string fret 1), no new positions to fret.
E to Em: keep two fretted notes in place (5th string fret 2, 4th string fret 2), no new positions to fret.
E to E5: keep two fretted notes in place (5th string fret 2, 4th string fret 2), no new positions to fret.
E to Emaj7: keep two fretted notes in place (5th string fret 2, 3rd string fret 1), one new position to fret.

Relative minor

C#m: Relative minor of E major

Same root: E

Em: E minor
E7: E dominant seventh
Emaj7: E major seventh
Em7: E minor seventh
Esus4: E suspended fourth
E5: E power chord

In the key of E major

F#m: ii in E major
A: IV in E major
Amaj7: IVmaj7 in E major
B7: V7 in E major
B: V in E major

See the major scale in all 12 keys for the notes of E major.