Tools / Chords / E 7th sharp 5

E 7th sharp 5 chord on bass (E7♯5)

Also written E7♯5, E or E Dominant 7th ♯5

E 7th sharp 5 is built from E, G♯, B♯, and D. The open E and D strings give this shape a resonant, ringing quality.

Open0-3-0-1

Positions on the neck1 of 3

How it’s built

E1Root

G♯3Major 3rd

B♯♯5Augmented 5th

D♭7Minor 7th

Formula 1, 3, ♯5, ♭7

Positions on the neck1 of 3

Inversions

The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.

Root positionE–G♯–B♯–DE7♯5Bass E

First inversionG♯–B♯–D–EE7♯5/G♯Bass G♯

Second inversionB♯–D–E–G♯E7♯5/B♯Bass B♯

Third inversionD–E–G♯–B♯E7♯5/DBass D

Why it sounds like that

E 7th sharp 5 uses the formula 1, 3, ♯5, ♭7. The raised fifth B♯ creates the augmented-dominant tension. Compare it with E 7th, which has a perfect fifth B.

What goes wrong with E 7th sharp 5?

Letting the middle finger touch the open D string mutes it.
Pressing the index finger too hard on the 1st fret bends the 1st string sharp.
Failing to keep the middle finger vertical on the 3rd fret deadens the 3rd string.

When to use it

E 7th sharp 5 functions as a dominant in E major, often leading to E major. It fits blues, rock, and jazz progressions that need an altered dominant.

Changing to and from E 7th sharp 5

From E 7th sharp 5, move the middle finger to the 2nd fret and the index finger to the 1st fret for E 7th.

Which voicing to use

The open position places the root E in the bass for a strong, grounded sound. The B♯ inversion puts the raised fifth low, giving a tense dominant feel.

How do you play an E 7th sharp 5 chord on bass?

Open

Beginner● On the diagram

E 7th sharp 5 is played in open position as 0 3 0 1: middle finger on the A string at fret 3 and index finger on the G string at fret 1. The E and D strings ring open.

Tip — The open strings require precise hand positioning to avoid muting, but the fretted notes are easy to reach.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (E)	open	—	E (1)
3 (A)	3	2	B♯ (♯5)
2 (D)	open	—	D (♭7)
1 (G)	1	1	G♯ (3)

E7♯5/B♯ inversion

Intermediate

E 7th sharp 5 is played at the 6th fret as 8 7 6 7: pinky finger on the E string at fret 8, middle finger on the A string at fret 7, index finger on the D string at fret 6 and ring finger on the G string at fret 7.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (E)	8	4	B♯ (♯5)
3 (A)	7	2	E (1)
2 (D)	6	1	G♯ (3)
1 (G)	7	3	D (♭7)

E7♯5/D inversion

Intermediate

E 7th sharp 5 is played at the 9th fret as 10 11 10 9: middle finger on the E string at fret 10, pinky finger on the A string at fret 11, ring finger on the D string at fret 10 and index finger on the G string at fret 9.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (E)	10	2	D (♭7)
3 (A)	11	4	G♯ (3)
2 (D)	10	3	B♯ (♯5)
1 (G)	9	1	E (1)

Common questions

How is E 7th sharp 5 written?

E 7th sharp 5 is written as E7♯5 or E. The symbol E7♯5 is most common. The displayed shape preserves only the supplied notes and interval formula.

What is the difference between E 7th sharp 5 and E augmented?

E 7th sharp 5 adds a flat seventh D to the augmented triad E–G♯–B♯. E augmented is just the triad. The flat seventh makes it a dominant chord.

Can E 7th sharp 5 be played without open strings?

Yes, the E7♯5/B♯ inversion at frets 8-7-6-7 has no open strings. It is higher and brighter. The open-string version is easier for beginners.

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (E)

open

—

E (1)

3 (A)

B♯ (♯5)

2 (D)

open

—

D (♭7)

1 (G)

G♯ (3)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (E)

B♯ (♯5)

3 (A)

E (1)

2 (D)

G♯ (3)

1 (G)

D (♭7)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (E)

D (♭7)

3 (A)

G♯ (3)

2 (D)

B♯ (♯5)

1 (G)

E (1)