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E7 chord on guitar

E7 (E dominant seventh) is E, G♯, B and D. The easiest way to play it is the open E7 chord, written 020100. Put your 1st finger (index) on the 3rd string, 1st fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 5th string, 2nd fret. Let the 6th, 4th, 2nd and 1st strings ring open.

E7

E dominant seventh · E G♯ B D · 1 3 5 ♭7

  • Open position

    Open chord

    21EBDG♯BE

    020100

  • Open position

    Open chord

    2314EBEG♯DE

    022130

  • 7th fret

    Barre chord, root on the 5th string

    7fr13141EBDG♯B

    x79797

Or pick another chord to see and hear it

Root
Chord

Dots show where each finger goes, numbered 1 (index) to 4 (little); the green ones are E, the root.

How to play E7

Strings are counted from the thinnest: the 1st is the high E and the 6th the low E. Each shape is written as tab from the 6th string to the 1st, a number for the fret to press, 0 for an open string and x for one not played.

  1. 1. Open chord · Open position

    020100
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 3rd string, 1st fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 5th string, 2nd fret.
    • Let the 6th, 4th, 2nd and 1st strings ring open.

  2. 2. Open chord · Open position

    022130
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 3rd string, 1st fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 5th string, 2nd fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 2nd fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 2nd string, 3rd fret.
    • Let the 6th and 1st strings ring open.

  3. 3. Barre chord, root on the 5th string · 7th fret

    x79797
    • Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 5th to 1st strings at the 7th fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 9th fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 2nd string, 9th fret.
    • Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

Notes in the E7 chord

E7 is E, G♯, B and D, and it sounds bluesy and restless: it wants to move on, usually a fourth up. From E, count 4 half steps up to G♯, 3 more to B and 3 more to D. Its formula is 1 3 5 ♭7. The shapes above play these notes in different orders and octaves, some more than once, but always with E lowest. See its inversions and keys on the E7 piano chord page.

Chords that often come after E7

Ax02220E7 is the V7 of A: its seventh pulls straight home there.Amx02210The same pull into Am, home in the minor key.F♯mxx4222E7 to F♯m is V7 to vi, the surprise ending (a deceptive cadence).

More guitar chords

Other chords on E

EEmEmaj7Em7Esus2Esus4Eadd9E9E6EdimEm7♭5Edim7Eaug

Dominant seventh chords on other notes

C7C♯7D7E♭7F7F♯7G7A♭7A7B♭7B7

Or see every chord at once on the guitar chord chart.

Frequently asked questions

How do you play E7 on guitar?

The easiest way to play it is the open E7 chord, written 020100. Put your 1st finger (index) on the 3rd string, 1st fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 5th string, 2nd fret. Let the 6th, 4th, 2nd and 1st strings ring open.

What notes are in the E7 chord?

E7 is E, G♯, B and D. In the shape written 020100, the 6th to 1st strings play E, B, D, G♯, B and E.

Is E7 a barre chord?

It doesn't have to be: 020100 needs no barre. The barre shape (x79797) plays it higher up the neck and moves to any root.

How many ways can you play E7 on guitar?

This page shows three: 020100 (open position), 022130 (open position) and x79797 (7th fret). Any chord can be played in more places up the neck; these are the ones chord books show first.

Can I make a beat with E7?

Yes. “Make a beat in A major” opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in A major on A E F♯m D, the key where E7 is the V7 chord. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account is needed to start.

Make a beat in A major

Opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in A major on A E F♯m D, the key where E7 is the V7 chord. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account needed to start.

Make a beat in A majorAll guitar chords

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