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E major 7th chord on ukulele (Emaj7)
Also called or written Emaj7 or EM7
E major 7th is built from E, G♯, B, and D♯. This 9th-fret grip is a wide stretch, but the Emaj7/G♯ inversion offers an easier open-string option.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, 5, 7
- Root positionE–G♯–B–D♯Emaj74-4-4-6
- First inversionG♯–B–D♯–EEmaj7/G♯8-8-7-7
- Second inversionB–D♯–E–G♯Emaj7/B9-11-11-11
- Third inversionD♯–E–G♯–BEmaj7/D♯1-3-0-2
How do you play an E major 7th chord on ukulele?
E major 7th is played at the 9th fret as 9 11 11 11: index finger on the G string at fret 9, middle finger on the C string at fret 11, ring finger on the E string at fret 11 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 | 2 | B (5) |
| 2 (E) | 11 | 3 | D♯ (7) |
| 1 (A) | 11 | 4 | G♯ (3) |
AdvancedThe index finger at fret 9 and pinky at fret 11 force a wide stretch, and the three fingers on fret 11 must fit without muting each other.
Emaj7/D♯ inversion
E major 7th is played in open position as 1 3 0 2: index finger on the G string at fret 1, ring finger on the C string at fret 3 and middle 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) | 3 | 3 | D♯ (7) |
| 2 (E) | open | — | E (1) |
| 1 (A) | 2 | 2 | B (5) |
4th fret
E major 7th is played at the 4th fret as 4 4 4 6: barre your index finger across fret 4 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 6.
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) | 6 | 4 | D♯ (7) |
Emaj7/G♯ inversion
E major 7th is played at the 7th fret as 8 8 7 7: ring finger on the G string at fret 8, pinky finger on the C string at fret 8, index finger on the E string at fret 7 and middle finger on the A string at fret 7.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8 | 3 | D♯ (7) |
| 3 (C) | 8 | 4 | G♯ (3) |
| 2 (E) | 7 | 1 | B (5) |
| 1 (A) | 7 | 2 | E (1) |
Why it sounds like that
E major 7th stacks a major 3rd, perfect 5th, and major 7th above E. The major 7th interval is what separates it from E major, which stops at the perfect 5th.
What goes wrong with E major 7th?
- The ring finger touches the A string, muting the pinky's note.
- The index finger presses too far from the fret, making the G string buzz.
- The middle finger leans on the E string, dulling its sound.
When to use it
E major 7th works as the I chord in E major, such as E–A–B–E (I–IV–V–I). It also fits the I–V–vi–IV progression E–B–C♯ minor–A. Use it for rock ballads, pop, or jazz tunes that need a bright, ringing major color.
Changing to and from E major 7th
- Sliding the shape down two frets to the 7th fret gives D major 7th.
- From E major, lift the pinky and add the middle and ring fingers on fret 11 for E major 7th.
Which voicing to use
The 9th fret voicing puts E in the bass for a root-position sound. The Emaj7/G♯ inversion at frets 1-3-0-2 places the 3rd in the bass, giving a lighter, more open feel.
Other E chords
Common questions
Why does my E major 7th buzz on the G string?
The index finger may be too far from the fret or not pressing firmly enough. Place it just behind the 9th fret and use the fingertip, not the pad.
Is the Emaj7/G♯ inversion easier to play?
Yes, it uses open strings and only two fretted notes. However, it has G♯ in the bass, so it sounds less grounded than the root position.
Can I use E major 7th in place of E major?
Yes, but the added major 7th (D♯) creates a more complex, jazzy color. Use it when you want a softer, more reflective sound than the plain major triad.