Guitar chord
E Dominant 7 Open Chord
A common open E7 chord shape in standard tuning.
- Symbol
- E7
- Chord tones
- E, G#, B, D
- Formula
- 1 3 5 b7
- Tuning
- Standard
- Frets, low to high
- 0 2 0 1 0 0
- Fingers, low to high
- - 2 - 1 - -
Chord fingering diagram
Read the chart vertically with the nut at the top. X means mute the string, markers above the nut are played open, and numbered markers show fretting-hand fingers.
How to play E7
Fretting hand
Place finger 2 on the 5th string at fret 2 and finger 1 on the 3rd string at fret 1. Fret each note close behind the fret wire without resting directly on it.
Clean sound check
Let the 6th string, 4th string, 2nd string, and 1st string ring open. Arch the fretting fingers so their sides do not silence neighboring strings, then pick every sounding string separately.
Sound and use
E7 combines a major triad with a flat seventh, creating tension that commonly resolves to a chord rooted a perfect fourth higher. It is also central to blues harmony.
Chord tone reference
Use the matching arpeggio page to study the same notes across the full fretboard, or open those chord tones directly in the interactive tool.
More E chords
Keep the root fixed and compare how the third, seventh, suspended tones, or added tones change the sound.
More Dominant 7 chord shapes
Practice the same chord quality from other roots to reinforce its interval sound and common fingering patterns.