Also written E7, E or E Dominant 7th
E 7th contains E, G♯, B, and D. The open shape uses all six strings, with the root on the low E string and a bright, ringing sound.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
E 7th is built from the formula 1, 3, 5, ♭7, adding a minor seventh to the E major triad. The ♭7 creates the dominant pull that defines the chord. Compare it with E major, which stops at the major third and fifth.
E 7th is the V chord in A major, appearing in progressions like A–D–E–A (I–IV–V–I). It suits blues, rock, and country. Resolve it to A major.
The open position is the easiest and keeps the root on the low E string. The 2nd fret shape is a compact four-string voicing for higher-register comping. The 7th fret barre shape adds the A string for a fuller sound.
E 7th is played in open position as 0 2 0 1 0 0: middle finger on the A string at fret 2 and index finger on the G string at fret 1. The low E, D, B and high e strings ring open.
Tip — The open shape is easy to fret but requires a clean strum across all six strings without muting any.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | open | — | E (1) |
| 5 (A) | 2 | 2 | B (5) |
| 4 (D) | open | — | D (♭7) |
| 3 (G) | 1 | 1 | G♯ (3) |
| 2 (B) | open | — | B (5) |
| 1 (e) | open | — | E (1) |
E 7th is played in open position as 0 2 0 1 3 0: middle finger on the A string at fret 2, index finger on the G string at fret 1 and ring finger on the B string at fret 3. The low E, D and high e strings ring open.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | open | — | E (1) |
| 5 (A) | 2 | 2 | B (5) |
| 4 (D) | open | — | D (♭7) |
| 3 (G) | 1 | 1 | G♯ (3) |
| 2 (B) | 3 | 3 | D (♭7) |
| 1 (e) | open | — | E (1) |
E 7th is played in open position as 0 2 2 1 3 0: middle finger on the A string at fret 2, ring finger on the D string at fret 2, index finger on the G string at fret 1 and pinky finger on the B string at fret 3. The low E and high e strings ring open.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | open | — | E (1) |
| 5 (A) | 2 | 2 | B (5) |
| 4 (D) | 2 | 3 | E (1) |
| 3 (G) | 1 | 1 | G♯ (3) |
| 2 (B) | 3 | 4 | D (♭7) |
| 1 (e) | open | — | E (1) |
E 7th is played at the 2nd fret as × × 2 4 3 4: index finger on the D string at fret 2, ring finger on the G string at fret 4, middle finger on the B string at fret 3 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 4. The low E and A strings stay muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | muted | — | — |
| 4 (D) | 2 | 1 | E (1) |
| 3 (G) | 4 | 3 | B (5) |
| 2 (B) | 3 | 2 | D (♭7) |
| 1 (e) | 4 | 4 | G♯ (3) |
E 7th is played at the 7th fret as × 7 9 7 9 7: barre your index finger across fret 7, ring finger on the D string at fret 9 and pinky finger on the B string at fret 9. The low E string stays muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 7 | 1 (barre) | E (1) |
| 4 (D) | 9 | 3 | B (5) |
| 3 (G) | 7 | 1 (barre) | D (♭7) |
| 2 (B) | 9 | 4 | G♯ (3) |
| 1 (e) | 7 | 1 (barre) | B (5) |
E 7th's ♭7 (D) clashes gently with the major third (G♯), creating the tension that blues and rock rely on. This interval is the heart of the dominant sound.
E 7th adds a D note, the minor seventh, to the E major triad. That note gives the chord its dominant tension.
Yes, the 7th fret barre shape is a moveable voicing with the root on the A string. It is useful for higher positions.