BeginnerDominant 7th
E7 Chord
The E7 is a dominant 7th chord that sounds bluesy, tense, and yearning to resolve. Dominant 7th chords are the engine of blues and jazz. Their inherent tension wants to resolve, making them perfect for transitions and turnarounds.
Notes:ERoot (1)G#Major 3rd (3)BPerfect 5th (5)DMinor 7th (b7)
Open Position
Chord Diagrams
Open Position
No barre required
How to Play E7
Follow these steps for the open position fingering:
| # | String | Instruction | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low E (6th string) | ○Open, play the open string | E |
| 2 | A (5th string) | ●Fret 2 with your middle finger | G# |
| 3 | D (4th string) | ○Open, play the open string | B |
| 4 | G (3rd string) | ●Fret 1 with your index finger | D |
| 5 | B (2nd string) | ○Open, play the open string | E |
| 6 | High E (1st string) | ○Open, play the open string | G# |
○ = Open string (no fingers needed)
✕ = Muted string (don't play)
● = Press your finger down firmly just behind the fret
Notes in E7
The E7 chord is built from 4 distinct notes, each serving a harmonic role:
E
Root (1)
The root, gives the chord its name
G#
Major 3rd (3)
The major third, creates the bright sound
B
Perfect 5th (5)
The fifth, adds power and stability
D
Minor 7th (b7)
Extended tone, adds richness and color
Read the deep-dive guide for E7
Other E Chords
Explore other chord types built on the same root note:
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