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E Chord on Guitar

E is the E major chord — 3 notes (E, G♯, B) built from the formula 1 3 5. Below are playable shapes across the fretboard, the keys it belongs to and the scales to use when soloing over it.

Notes: E · G♯ · BFormula: 1 · 3 · 5Hear it and see it on the fretboard ▸

E: Chord shapes (open & barre)

  • E – open positionR5R35Ropen position
  • E – fret 2××R5R3fret 2
  • E – fret 44×R35R3fret 4
  • E – fret 77×R5R35fret 7
  • E – fret 99R35R3Rfret 9
  • E – fret 1212R5R35Rfret 12

E: Triad voicings (3 strings)

  • E – bass: R9R35×××bass: R
  • E – bass: R4×R35××bass: R
  • E – bass: R12××R35×bass: R
  • E – bass: R7×××R35bass: R
  • E – bass: 335R×××bass: 3
  • E – bass: 39×35R××bass: 3
  • E – bass: 34××35R×bass: 3
  • E – bass: 312×××35Rbass: 3
  • E – bass: 565R3×××bass: 5
  • E – bass: 5×5R3××bass: 5
  • E – bass: 59××5R3×bass: 5
  • E – bass: 5×××5R3bass: 5

Keys that contain E

Scales to play over E

Ordered from the most common choice. All of them contain E, G♯, B.

Other E chords

Triads

Sevenths

Sixths

Added

Extended

Major chords in other keys

FAQ

What notes are in the E chord?
E (E major) contains E, G♯, B — formula 1 3 5.
How do you play E on guitar?
A common shape is 022100 (low E to high E, x = muted string, open position). This page shows more shapes, drop 2, drop 3 and shell voicings in the interactive library.
What scale goes with E?
Good choices to solo over E: E Ionian (Major), E Lydian, E Major pentatonic.
What key is E in?
E is diatonic in E major (I), A major (V), B major (IV), C♯ minor (♭III), F♯ minor (♭VII), G♯ minor (♭VI).