E Dominant 7th Guitar Chord (E7)
E dominant 7th is a four-note chord built from E (the root), G♯ (the major third), B (the perfect fifth), and D (the minor seventh). It mixes major-chord brightness with seventh-chord tension — the signature sound of blues turnarounds, funk vamps, and vintage rock. Below are 4 ways to play it in standard tuning, easiest shape first.
E7 chord shapes — standard tuning
How to play it
Place your index finger on the G (3rd) string at fret 1 and your middle finger on the A (5th) string at fret 2. Let the low E (6th), D (4th), B (2nd), and high E (1st) strings ring open. Strum all six strings.
Once that shape is comfortable, try the other 3 voicings above — same notes, different neck positions and textures.
Notes in this chord
| Symbol | Interval | Note |
|---|---|---|
| R | root | E |
| 3 | major third | G♯ |
| 5 | perfect fifth | B |
| ♭7 | minor seventh | D |
Keep exploring
Other tunings
Open the interactive chord charts to see E7 in open G, drop D, DADGAD, and more tunings.
More E chords
Nearby dominant 7th chords
E7 FAQ
What notes are in E7?
E7 contains E, G♯, B, and D — the root (E), the major third, the perfect fifth, and the minor seventh.
Is E7 a barre chord?
Not necessarily. The easiest E7 shape (0-2-0-1-0-0) needs no barre — it uses 2 fingers plus open strings. Barre versions exist too, starting at fret 7, and are handy when you want to move the same grip to other keys.
What is the easiest way to play E7 on guitar?
Start with the open position shape 0-2-0-1-0-0. Place your index finger on the G (3rd) string at fret 1 and your middle finger on the A (5th) string at fret 2. Let the low E (6th), D (4th), B (2nd), and high E (1st) strings ring open. Strum all six strings.