Explore chords · Ukulele
E 7th sharp 5 chord on ukulele (E7♯5)
Also called or written E7♯5, E or E Dominant 7th ♯5
E 7th sharp 5 is built from E, G♯, B♯ and D. The 1-2-0-3 grip uses an open E string and a three-fret stretch, while the 5-4-4-5 shape is a compact alternative.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, ♯5, ♭7
How do you play an E 7th sharp 5 chord on ukulele?
E 7th sharp 5 is played in open position as 1 2 0 3: 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 3. 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) | 3 | 3 | B♯ (♯5) |
AdvancedThe ring finger must reach fret 3 on the A string while the index and middle hold frets 1 and 2, a wide stretch.
4th fret
E 7th sharp 5 is played at the 4th fret as 5 4 4 5: ring finger on the G string at fret 5, index finger on the C string at fret 4, middle finger on the E string at fret 4 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 5.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5 | 3 | B♯ (♯5) |
| 3 (C) | 4 | 1 | E (1) |
| 2 (E) | 4 | 2 | G♯ (3) |
| 1 (A) | 5 | 4 | D (♭7) |
E7♯5/G♯ inversion
E 7th sharp 5 is played at the 7th fret as 7 8 8 7: index finger on the G string at fret 7, ring finger on the C string at fret 8, pinky finger on the E string at fret 8 and middle 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 | 3 | G♯ (3) |
| 2 (E) | 8 | 4 | B♯ (♯5) |
| 1 (A) | 7 | 2 | E (1) |
Why it sounds like that
E 7th sharp 5 uses the formula 1, 3, ♯5, ♭7: E, G♯, B♯, D. The sharp fifth B♯ gives the chord its biting, augmented-dominant colour. Compare it with E 7th, which has a natural fifth B.
What goes wrong with E 7th sharp 5?
- Letting the ring finger touch the E string and choke its open note.
- Letting the middle finger touch the E string and choke its open note.
- Pressing the index finger flat so it deadens the C string.
When to use it
E 7th sharp 5 is a tense dominant in E major, often resolving to E major or E 7th. It suits jazz, blues, and funk when you need an edgy, unresolved colour.
Changing to and from E 7th sharp 5
- From E 7th sharp 5 to E 7th, lower the B♯ on the C string by one fret.
- From E 7th sharp 5 to E major, move the index finger from fret 1 on the G string to fret 0 and lift the middle and ring fingers.
Which voicing to use
The 1-2-0-3 voicing puts G♯ in the bass for a sharp, cutting inversion. The 5-4-4-5 shape places B♯ in the bass and is easier to grab quickly, though it sounds less grounded.
Other E chords
Common questions
How is E 7th sharp 5 written?
E 7th sharp 5 is written E7♯5 or E7+5. The symbol E is also used, and the alternate name is Dominant 7th ♯5.
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 has no seventh, so it sounds more static.
Why does E 7th sharp 5 sound so tense?
The raised fifth B♯ is a semitone above the perfect fifth, creating a dissonant augmented interval against the root. The flat seventh adds further instability.