How to Play the E7 Guitar Chord
E7 is an open chord played with two fingers. Place your index finger on the first fret of the G string and your middle finger on the second fret of the A string. Leave the other strings open, and strum from the low E string. The chord contains four notes: E, G#, B, and D.
E7 fingering diagram
Fingering and notes by string
| String | Action | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (low E) | Play open | E |
| 5 (A) | Press fret 2 with the middle finger | B |
| 4 (D) | Play open | D |
| 3 (G) | Press fret 1 with the index finger | G# |
| 2 (B) | Play open | B |
| 1 (high E) | Play open | E |
Play E7 step by step
Tune to Standard
Tune the guitar to standard tuning, low to high: E, A, D, G, B, E.
Index Finger Placement
Place the index finger on the first fret of the G string, the third string from the thickest.
Middle Finger Placement
Place the middle finger on the second fret of the A string, the second string from the thickest.
Check Your Ring Finger
Keep the ring finger off the strings.
Strum All Strings
Strum all six strings from the low E string down to the high E string.
Test for Clarity
Pluck each string on its own. Each string should ring clearly; if one is muted, adjust the finger that touches it.
The four notes in E7
A standard E chord is made of E, G#, and B. E7 adds the note D, the seventh, which is what gives the chord its name.
- E: The open low E string and the open high E string
- G#: The G string at fret 1
- B: The open B string and the A string at fret 2
- D: The open D string
Fixing a muted or buzzing E7
A string sounds dead
Arch your fingers so the tips press just behind the fret wire, and make sure no finger touches a neighboring string.
The chord buzzes
Press close to the fret rather than in the middle of the space between frets, and press firmly enough that each string rings clearly.
The chord sounds out of tune
Check the tuning first with a tuner before adjusting finger position. Tune to standard tuning, then play E7 again.
Tune and compare before you strum
Tune the guitar first, then use the reference tone generator to play the notes E, G#, B, and D. Compare each note with the matching string of the chord, then strum E7.
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in an E7 chord?
E7 contains the notes E, G#, B, and D.
Is E7 easier to play than a standard E chord?
Yes for most beginners. The open E7 leaves out the third finger that a standard E chord uses, so it needs two fingers instead.
Why does my E7 sound muted?
A finger is usually touching a neighboring string or pressing too far from the fret. Adjust the finger positions, then pluck each string separately to find the one that is muted.
Should I tune before practicing E7?
Yes. Tune to standard tuning first, so each note of the chord is in pitch when you play it.
Learn more chord shapes
Keep building your fingering with the chord guide, and tune your guitar before each practice session.
Browse the chord guide