Also written E7, E or E Dominant 7th
E 7th is built from E, G♯, B, and D. This advanced open shape uses two open strings and a first-fret stretch.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tip — The index finger must fret the 1st fret on the G string while the middle finger holds the 2nd fret on the A string.
| 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) |
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.
| 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) |
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.
| 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) |
E 7th is played at the 9th fret as 10 11 9 9: barre your index finger across fret 9, middle finger on the E string at fret 10 and ring finger on the A string at fret 11.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 10 | 2 | D (♭7) |
| 3 (A) | 11 | 3 | G♯ (3) |
| 2 (D) | 9 | 1 (barre) | B (5) |
| 1 (G) | 9 | 1 (barre) | E (1) |
E 7th is written as E or E7. The symbol E7 is more common in chord charts.
E 7th adds a minor 7th, D, to the E major triad. This gives the chord its dominant, tension-filled quality.
The tritone between G♯ and D creates a strong pull toward the A major chord. This resolution is fundamental in tonal harmony.