E Guitar Chord

How to play E: a major built on E, with 6 ways to play it, the notes, the keys it belongs to, and songs that use it.

Chord Diagrams

A common voicing
XX
Voicing 2
4X
Voicing 3
7X
Voicing 4
7XX
Voicing 5
7XX
Voicing 6

The first diagram is a common voicing: an open-position shape using 3 open strings, played near the nut. An X above a string means don't play it; an O means play it open.

How to play E

Frets from the low E string to the high E string: 0 2 2 1 0 0 (x = not played).

  1. Fret the G string at the 1st fret.
  2. Add the A and D strings at the 2nd fret.
  3. The low E, B and high E strings ring open.
  4. Strum all six strings.

Notes & Intervals in E

NoteEG#B
IntervalR35

E is a major with E as its root. The full theoretical spelling is E, G#, B. This voicing sounds every chord tone.

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Keys That Use E

E is a diatonic chord (built from the key's own notes) in 3 major keys and 4 minor keys. The roman numeral is the chord's place in that key; tap a key for all of its chords.

Songs That Use E

Free chord sheets on Guitar Scribble with E in them. Each opens with the chords over the lyrics and plays in any key.

Use This Chord

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Questions About E

What notes are in the E chord?

E is spelled E, G#, B: the root, 3rd, 5th. The common guitar voicing sounds every one of them.

How do you play E on guitar?

Frets from the low E string to the high E string: 0 2 2 1 0 0 (x means the string is not played). Fret the G string at the 1st fret. Add the A and D strings at the 2nd fret. The low E, B and high E strings ring open. Strum all six strings.

What key is the E chord in?

E belongs to 7 keys: E major (the I chord), B major (the IV chord), A major (the V chord), G# minor (the VI), C# minor (the III), F# minor (the VII) and A minor (the V, from the harmonic minor).

Related Chords

Other major chords

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