How to play the E7 chord on guitar
E dominant seventh (E7) in standard tuning (EADGBE). Play the shape 020100 from the low E string to the high E string. The chord tones are E, G#, B, D, and the lowest sounding note is E.
Fingering chart
| String | Fret | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 6th (low E) | Open | E |
| 5th (A) | 2 | B |
| 4th (D) | Open | D |
| 3rd (G) | 1 | G# |
| 2nd (B) | Open | B |
| 1st (high E) | Open | E |
Notes and intervals
Formula 1 3 5 b7. 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 |
| D | b7 | Minor 7th (10 semitones) | Yes |
Changing chords from E7
E7 sounds six strings: two fretted positions between frets 1 and 2, plus four 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 E7 shape.
- E7 to E: keep two fretted notes in place (5th string fret 2, 3rd string fret 1), one new position to fret.
- E7 to Emaj7: keep two fretted notes in place (5th string fret 2, 3rd string fret 1), one new position to fret.
- E7 to Em7: keep one fretted note in place (5th string fret 2), no new positions to fret.
- E7 to Em: keep one fretted note in place (5th string fret 2), one new position to fret.