How to play the E7 chord on guitar
E7 is E with the ring finger lifted: the open 4th string adds the 7th. Two fingers, all six strings.
The 3D hands holding E7. Switch to 0.5× and turn the guitar to see each finger.
Where the fingers go
- Middle finger (2) on the A (5th) string, fret 2.
- Index finger (1) on the G (3rd) string, fret 1.
- Let low E (6th), D (4th), B (2nd) and high E (1st) ring open.
Notes in the chord: E – B – D – G#
Tips
- Arch the middle finger so the open 4th string next to it rings.
- E7 leads to A. It is the turnaround chord of a 12-bar blues in A.
- For a fuller E7, keep the ring finger on the 4th string and add the pinky on the 2nd string, 3rd fret.
Practise E7 inside a real song
Paste the chords of any song that uses E7, or snap a photo of the sheet. SnapFret plays it with the hands, and you can loop the change you find hardest.
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