Also written Emaj7 or EM7
E major 7th contains E, G♯, B, and D♯. The open-position shape uses three fretted notes and one open string.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
E major 7th is built from the 1, 3, 5, and 7 of the E major scale. The major 7th interval from E to D♯ gives the chord its smooth, resolved character. Compare it to E major, which lacks the D♯ and sounds more plain.
E major 7th is the I chord in E major, heard in E–A–B–E, the I–IV–V–I. It suits jazz, bossa nova, and mellow pop. Use it over E major or E 5th.
The open-position shape keeps E in the bass for a grounded sound. The Emaj7/B inversion at the 7th fret puts B in the bass, softening the chord. The Emaj7/D♯ inversion at the 11th fret has the leading tone D♯ in the bass, creating tension that resolves to E.
E major 7th is played in open position as 0 2 1 1: ring finger on the A string at fret 2, index finger on the D string at fret 1 and middle finger on the G string at fret 1. The E string rings open.
Tip — The ring finger must reach the 2nd fret on the 3rd string while the index and middle hold the 1st fret, requiring a small stretch.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | open | — | E (1) |
| 3 (A) | 2 | 3 | B (5) |
| 2 (D) | 1 | 1 | D♯ (7) |
| 1 (G) | 1 | 2 | G♯ (3) |
E major 7th is played at the 12th fret as 12 14 13 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 13 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) | 13 | 2 | D♯ (7) |
| 1 (G) | 13 | 3 | G♯ (3) |
E major 7th is played at the 6th fret as 7 7 6 8: 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 8.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7 | 2 | B (5) |
| 3 (A) | 7 | 3 | E (1) |
| 2 (D) | 6 | 1 | G♯ (3) |
| 1 (G) | 8 | 4 | D♯ (7) |
E major 7th is played at the 9th fret as 11 11 9 9: barre your index finger across fret 9, middle finger on the E string at fret 11 and ring finger on the A string at fret 11.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 11 | 2 | D♯ (7) |
| 3 (A) | 11 | 3 | G♯ (3) |
| 2 (D) | 9 | 1 (barre) | B (5) |
| 1 (G) | 9 | 1 (barre) | E (1) |
E major 7th is written EM7 or Emaj7.
Bassists often let the ring finger collapse and buzz the 3rd string. Keep the ring finger curved and press just behind the fret.
Playing E major 7th at the 12th fret gives a brighter, more bell-like tone. The same notes ring out with less low-end weight.
E major 7th adds the D♯, the major 7th, to the E major triad. That extra note creates a dreamier, more resolved sound than E major.