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E 7th chord on bass (E7)
Also called or written E7, E, E Dominant 7th or E Major Minor 7th
E 7th is built from E, G♯, B, and D. This advanced open shape uses two open strings and a first-fret stretch.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, 5, ♭7
How do you play an E 7th chord on bass?
E 7th is played in open position as 0 2 0 1: middle finger on the A string at fret 2 and index finger on the G string at fret 1. The E and D strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | open | — | E (1) |
| 3 (A) | 2 | 2 | B (5) |
| 2 (D) | open | — | D (♭7) |
| 1 (G) | 1 | 1 | G♯ (3) |
AdvancedThe index finger must fret the 1st fret on the G string while the middle finger holds the 2nd fret on the A string.
12th fret
E 7th is played at the 12th fret as 12 14 12 13: index finger on the E string at fret 12, pinky finger on the A string at fret 14, middle finger on the D string at fret 12 and ring finger on the G string at fret 13.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 12 | 1 | E (1) |
| 3 (A) | 14 | 4 | B (5) |
| 2 (D) | 12 | 2 | D (♭7) |
| 1 (G) | 13 | 3 | G♯ (3) |
E7/B inversion
E 7th is played at the 6th fret as 7 7 6 7: middle finger on the E string at fret 7, ring finger on the A string at fret 7, index finger on the D string at fret 6 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 7.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7 | 2 | B (5) |
| 3 (A) | 7 | 3 | E (1) |
| 2 (D) | 6 | 1 | G♯ (3) |
| 1 (G) | 7 | 4 | D (♭7) |
E7/D inversion
E 7th is played at the 9th fret as 10 11 9 9: ring finger on the E string at fret 10, pinky finger on the A string at fret 11, index finger on the D string at fret 9 and middle finger on the G string at fret 9.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 10 | 3 | D (♭7) |
| 3 (A) | 11 | 4 | G♯ (3) |
| 2 (D) | 9 | 1 | B (5) |
| 1 (G) | 9 | 2 | E (1) |
Why it sounds like that
E 7th stacks a major 3rd, perfect 5th, and minor 7th over the root E. The minor 7th D creates the dominant pull toward A major. Compare with E major, which omits the 7th.
What goes wrong with E 7th?
- Letting the index finger mute the D string.
- Pressing too hard on the G string and sharpening the note.
When to use it
E 7th functions as the V chord in A major, resolving to A major in progressions like A–D–E–A (I–IV–V–I). Use it in blues, rock, and country bass lines for a strong dominant sound.
Changing to and from E 7th
- Sliding the 12th fret shape down two frets to the 10th fret gives D 7th.
Which voicing to use
The open position keeps E in the bass for a root-position sound. The E7/B inversion at the 7th fret puts B in the bass, useful for stepwise bass movement.
Other E chords
Common questions
How is E 7th written?
E 7th is written as E or E7. The symbol E7 is more common in chord charts.
What is the difference between E 7th and E major?
E 7th adds a minor 7th, D, to the E major triad. This gives the chord its dominant, tension-filled quality.
Why does E 7th resolve to A major?
The tritone between G♯ and D creates a strong pull toward the A major chord. This resolution is fundamental in tonal harmony.