E Chord on Guitar
Notes E G♯ B. Start with open E (0 2 2 1 0 0): middle finger on string 5 fret 2, ring on string 4 fret 2, index on string 3 fret 1, all six strings ring.
Chord · E major
Open E · 0 2 2 1 0 0
open strings
Easy E (4 strings) · x x 2 1 0 0
open strings
D-shape, 4 strings (fret 2) · x x 2 4 5 4
movable, no open strings
A-shape barre (fret 7) · x 7 9 9 9 7
barre, movable
E-shape barre (fret 12) · 12 14 14 13 12 12
barre, movable
1 E3 G♯5 B
- String 6 (low E): open
- String 5 (A): middle (2), fret 2
- String 4 (D): ring (3), fret 2
- String 3 (G): index (1), fret 1
- String 2 (B): open
- String 1 (high e): open
- String 6 (low E): muted, do not play
- String 5 (A): muted, do not play
- String 4 (D): middle (2), fret 2
- String 3 (G): index (1), fret 1
- String 2 (B): open
- String 1 (high e): open
- String 6 (low E): muted, do not play
- String 5 (A): muted, do not play
- String 4 (D): index (1), fret 2
- String 3 (G): middle (2), fret 4
- String 2 (B): pinky (4), fret 5
- String 1 (high e): ring (3), fret 4
- Barre: index finger flat across strings 5 to 1 at fret 7
- String 6 (low E): muted, do not play
- String 5 (A): index (1), fret 7
- String 4 (D): ring (3), fret 9
- String 3 (G): ring (3), fret 9
- String 2 (B): ring (3), fret 9
- String 1 (high e): index (1), fret 7
- Barre: index finger flat across strings 6 to 1 at fret 12
- String 6 (low E): index (1), fret 12
- String 5 (A): ring (3), fret 14
- String 4 (D): pinky (4), fret 14
- String 3 (G): middle (2), fret 13
- String 2 (B): index (1), fret 12
- String 1 (high e): index (1), fret 12
Notes and formula
| Degree | Note | Interval from E |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | E | root |
| 3 | G♯ | major 3rd |
| 5 | B | perfect 5th |
Formula 1 3 5 (major).
Also written E major.
More on this chord type: Open (cowboy) chords
Capo shapes that sound as E
Open shapes you may already know, moved up with a capo.
D shape + capo 2
C shape + capo 4
A shape + capo 7
Need the capo fret for a whole song? Capo calculator: any song key, any shapes. New to the capo? How to use a capo.
Progressions with E
| Key · progression | Chords | Listen |
|---|---|---|
| E major I–IV–V–I | E – A – B – E | |
| E major I–V–vi–IV | E – B – C♯m – A | |
| A major I–vi–IV–V | A – F♯m – D – E | |
| A major vi–IV–I–V | F♯m – D – A – E | |
| G♯ minor i–VI–III–VII | G♯m – E – B – F♯ |
Keys that contain E
| Key | E is the |
|---|---|
| E major | I |
| A major | V |
| B major | IV |
| G♯ minor | VI |
| C♯ minor | III |
| F♯ minor | VII |
Minor keys here use the natural minor scale.
Playing E: what goes wrong
The E shape is the barre shape
Played with fingers 2, 3 and 4 instead of 1, 2 and 3, the open E leaves the index free. Slide that grip up and lay the index across the fret behind it: fret 1 is F, fret 3 is G, fret 5 is A.
Six strings, lowest note E
All six strings belong to E (E, B, E, G♯, B, E), with the open low E as the root. A full, even strum from string 6 is the point of this chord.
Related chords
Learn and practise E
- Metronomepractise the change to E at 60 BPM
- How to read chord chartsstrings, frets, fingers, x and o
- Chord finder (chord namer)name any other shape you find
FAQ
What notes are in E?
E, G♯, B: the 1, 3, 5 of the E major chord.
Why play E with fingers 2, 3 and 4?
It frees the index finger, which later becomes the barre. The same grip then plays F, G and A as E-shape barre chords higher up the neck.