Also written Emaj7 or EM7
E major 7th is built from E, G♯, B, and D♯. The default grip leaves the E string open while you fret the other three strings.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
E major 7th stacks a major 3rd, perfect 5th, and major 7th over E. The major 7th interval (E to D♯) gives the chord its bright, ringing quality. Compare it to E major, which stops at the perfect 5th.
Use E major 7th as the tonic in E major, such as in the I–IV–V–I progression E–A–B–E. It also works in B major as the IV chord. The chord suits rock, pop, and country.
The default grip (1-3-0-2) has D♯ in the bass, giving a first-inversion sound. For a root-position voicing, use the 4-4-4-6 barre shape, which puts E in the bass and offers a fuller tone.
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.
Tip — The hardest part is fretting the C string at the 3rd fret with the ring finger while keeping the E string open.
| 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) |
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.
| 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) |
E major 7th is played at the 7th fret as 8 8 7 7: barre your index finger across fret 7, middle finger on the G string at fret 8 and ring finger on the C string at fret 8.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8 | 2 | D♯ (7) |
| 3 (C) | 8 | 3 | G♯ (3) |
| 2 (E) | 7 | 1 (barre) | B (5) |
| 1 (A) | 7 | 1 (barre) | E (1) |
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.
| 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) |
E major 7th is written as EM7 or Emaj7.
E major 7th adds the major 7th note D♯ to the E major triad. This gives it a more complex, jazzy color.
The default grip places D♯ as the lowest note, making it a first inversion. This gives the chord a lighter, less grounded feel.