Explore chords · Ukulele
E 7th chord on ukulele (E7)
Also called or written E7, E, E Dominant 7th or E Major Minor 7th
E 7th contains E, G♯, B, and D. The 9th fret shape stretches all four fingers across four frets, so it is not a beginner chord.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, 5, ♭7
- Root positionE–G♯–B–DE74-4-4-5
- First inversionG♯–B–D–EE7/G♯7-8-7-7
- Second inversionB–D–E–G♯E7/B9-11-10-11
- Third inversionD–E–G♯–BE7/D1-2-0-2
How do you play an E 7th chord on ukulele?
E 7th is played at the 9th fret as 9 11 10 11: index finger on the G string at fret 9, ring finger on the C string at fret 11, middle finger on the E string at fret 10 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 11.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 9 | 1 | E (1) |
| 3 (C) | 11 | 3 | B (5) |
| 2 (E) | 10 | 2 | D (♭7) |
| 1 (A) | 11 | 4 | G♯ (3) |
AdvancedThe 9th fret shape requires a wide stretch from the index on the 4th string to the pinky on the 1st string, spanning four frets.
E7/D inversion
E 7th is played in open position as 1 2 0 2: index finger on the G string at fret 1, middle finger on the C string at fret 2 and ring finger on the A string at fret 2. The E string rings open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1 | 1 | G♯ (3) |
| 3 (C) | 2 | 2 | D (♭7) |
| 2 (E) | open | — | E (1) |
| 1 (A) | 2 | 3 | B (5) |
4th fret
E 7th is played at the 4th fret as 4 4 4 5: barre your index finger across fret 4 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 5.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4 | 1 (barre) | B (5) |
| 3 (C) | 4 | 1 (barre) | E (1) |
| 2 (E) | 4 | 1 (barre) | G♯ (3) |
| 1 (A) | 5 | 4 | D (♭7) |
E7/G♯ inversion
E 7th is played at the 7th fret as 7 8 7 7: index finger on the G string at fret 7, pinky finger on the C string at fret 8, middle finger on the E string at fret 7 and ring finger on the A string at fret 7.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 7 | 1 | D (♭7) |
| 3 (C) | 8 | 4 | G♯ (3) |
| 2 (E) | 7 | 2 | B (5) |
| 1 (A) | 7 | 3 | E (1) |
Why it sounds like that
E 7th is built from the formula 1, 3, 5, ♭7 on the root E. The ♭7, D, gives the chord its dominant quality. Compare it with E major, which stops at the major third and fifth.
What goes wrong with E 7th?
- Letting the pinky flatten and mute the 1st string.
- Allowing the ring finger to touch the 2nd string, muffling the B.
- Pressing the index too hard so the 4th string buzzes.
When to use it
E 7th is the V chord in A major, resolving to A major in the I–IV–V–I progression A–D–E–A. It also appears in the I–V–vi–IV progression A–E–F♯m–D. Use E 7th for blues, rock, and folk tunes that need a dominant pull.
Changing to and from E 7th
- Sliding the shape down one fret to the 8th fret gives E♭ 7th.
- Sliding the shape up one fret to the 10th fret gives F 7th.
Which voicing to use
The 9th fret shape has E in the bass and is the root position. The E7/D inversion at the 7th fret puts D in the bass and is easier to grab quickly. The E7/G♯ inversion at the 1st fret has G♯ in the bass and uses open strings.
Other E chords
Common questions
How is E 7th written?
E 7th is written as E7. The symbols E and E7 both refer to this chord. It is also called Dominant 7th or Major Minor 7th.
What is the difference between E 7th and E major?
E major contains E, G♯, and B. E 7th adds the ♭7, D, which creates tension that resolves to A major.
Can I play E 7th with open strings?
Yes, the E7/G♯ inversion uses open strings: 1-2-0-2. That voicing has G♯ in the bass and is easier for quick changes.