How to Play E7 Guitar Chords – Learn With Zager
The E7 chord is a four-note chord that consists of notes E, G#, B, and D. It is an alternative form of the E major chord with the addition of the 7th note in the E major chord scale, which is D. This chord is commonly used in blues, jazz and rock music as well as other genres.
When you play the E7 chord, you will notice that it has a rich, bluesy sound that adds tone and character to your music. The 7th chord gives off a tense sound that can create a feeling of resolution or anticipation in your music.
There are many ways to play the E7 chord on the guitar, and it’s part of using the guitar that you learn to experiment with different tonic chord shapes and techniques to create your own unique sound.
Whether you’re just starting out or a professional guitarist, the E7 chord is an essential chord to have in your toolkit. So,let’s discover how many ways you can play the E7 chord and a lot of flavor and depth to your playing!
Different Ways to Play the E7 Chord on the Guitar
Standard E7 Chord
Place your first finger on the first fret of the G string and position your second finger on the second fret of the A string. Now, Place your third finger on the first fret of the high E string and leave the strings of the D and low E strings open.
E7 Chord With a Low G
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Place your index finger on the first fret of the G string and your middle finger on the second fret of the A string, along with your ring finger on the third fret of the low E string. Leave the D and high E strings open.
E7 Chord With a High G
Place your index finger on the first fret of the G string and place your middle finger on the second fret of the A string. Now position your ring finger on the third fret of the high E string. At this point, leave the D string and the low E string left open.
How to Use the Dominant Chord
The E7 chord is a powerful tool that every guitarist should have a hold on! It can add a sense of tension and release plus create a driving rhythm and inject emotions into your playing.
Blues Progression
If you’re into rock music, you’re more likely to use the E7 chord more frequently than you think. It’s a sample of a blues progression, and it can be used in combination with the A7 and B7 chords to create a classic I-IV-V blues progression. This is the backbone of many classic blues songs that have been used by various artists over the years.
Jazz Progression
The E7 chord is a common chord that is used in jazz, where it creates a sense of tension and release within the jazz standards. It can be used as a dominant chord in it, and it has a slightly dissonant sound and creates a sense of anticipation that can make the resolution even more satisfying.
Rhythmic Progression
If you’re looking for a funky and Rhythmic feel, then the E7 chord is an excellent choice. It is the seventh chord and a major scale that is often used in the funk music genre, which is used to create a rhythm that’s impossible not to move. With this, you can experiment with different strumming patterns to create your own unique sound.
Although the E7 chord is just one chord; there are many ways to use it in your music journey. The key is to experiment and find what sounds good to you. With a little practice, you will be able to use the E7 chord to create a wide range of sounds and emotions in your playing.
E7 Chord Guitar Shapes
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There are a few different E7 chord guitar shapes available that you can experiment in and find your groove as a beginner guitarist.
E7 Barre Chord
It is a favored shape that allows you to play the chord up and down the neck of the guitar. In order to play the E7 barre chords, you need to bar your index finger across all six strings at the seventh fret. Then place your third finger on the ninth fret of the A string and your pinky finger on the ninth fret of the D string. This will create an E7 chord with a full and rich sound.
E7 Open Chord
It is a simpler and easier version of the E7 barre chord, and it’s a great choice if you’re starting out on your guitar-strumming journey.
In order to play the E7 chord open chord, place your one finger on the first fret of the G string and your second finger on the second fret of the A string. Now place you third finger on the first fret of the high E string. Leave the D and low E string open.
It will produce a full, rich sound that’s perfect for a wide variety of musical styles, like a professional guitarist.
E7 Power Chord
It is played as a stripped-down version of the E7 guitar chord that’s often used in rock music. To play the E7 chord, position your index finger on the seventh fret of the A string and position your ring finger on the ninth fret of the D string. This will create a crunchy, powerful sound that is perfect for driving rhythm guitar parts and playing.
E7 Drop 2 Chord
The E7 drop two chords is a jazz chord shape that can add a lot of color to your music. To play the E7, drop two chords, start with the E7 barre chord shape, and then remove the root note from the G string of the seventh fret by lifting your first finger straight up.
Then, move your third finger down to the 8th fret of the B string. This creates a sophisticated, jazzy sound that’s perfect for creating a sense of tension and release in your playability.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The E7 chord is a four-note chord that consists of notes E, G#, B, and D. It is an alternative form of the E major chord with the addition of the 7th note in the E major chord scale, which is D. This chord is commonly used in blues, jazz and rock music as well as other genres.
Yes, you can play the E7 chord as a beginner. There are different techniques and shapes that you can experiment with till you find your own unique sound!
In order to play the E7 barre chords, you need to bar your index finger across all six strings at the seventh fret and then place your third finger on the ninth fret of the A string and your pinky finger on the ninth fret of the D string. This will create an E7 chord with a full and rich sound.