How to play the Emaj7 chord on guitar
E major seventh (Emaj7) in standard tuning (EADGBE). Play the shape 021100 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) | 1 | D# |
| 3rd (G) | 1 | G# |
| 2nd (B) | Open | B |
| 1st (high E) | Open | E |
Notes and intervals
Formula 1 3 5 7. 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# | 7 | Major 7th (11 semitones) | Yes |
Changing chords from Emaj7
Emaj7 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 Emaj7 shape.
- Emaj7 to E7: keep two fretted notes in place (5th string fret 2, 3rd string fret 1), no new positions to fret.
- Emaj7 to E: keep two fretted notes in place (5th string fret 2, 3rd string fret 1), one new position to fret.
- Emaj7 to B7: keep two fretted notes in place (5th string fret 2, 4th string fret 1), two new positions to fret.
- Emaj7 to Em7: keep one fretted note in place (5th string fret 2), no new positions to fret.