Buskermate Try the app
Shows in Korea Guitar chords & scales Guitar practice
Chords Scales Keys Tools

E Guitar Chord

E is a major chord made of E · G♯ · B. A major triad — bright and stable, the most basic chord. The standard shape is an open chord: 022100 (6th string → 1st string, x = don't play, 0 = open string).

Chord charts

E
Open chord · 022100
E
××
Fret 2 · root on 4th string · xx2454
E
4fr×
Fret 4 barre · root on 5th string · x76454 · from fret 4
E
7fr×
Fret 7 barre · root on 5th string · x79997 · from fret 7
E
12fr
Fret 12 barre · root on 6th string · 12-14-14-13-12-12 · from fret 12
  1. Index finger on string 3 (G), fret 1.
  2. Middle finger on string 5 (A), fret 2.
  3. Ring finger on string 4 (D), fret 2.
  4. Let strings 6, 2, 1 ring open.
  5. Strum down from string 6.
E guitar chord chart — open chord 022100 and 3 more shapes
All E shapes on one image — long-press (or right-click) to save it.

Notes in the chord

E
rootG♯
3rdB
5th

Play it easier with a capo

  • Capo on fret 2 + D shape → sounds as E
  • Capo on fret 4 + C shape → sounds as E
  • Capo on fret 6 + B♭ shape → sounds as E
  • Capo on fret 7 + A shape → sounds as E

If barre chords are hard, clamp a capo and play an open shape — it sounds exactly the same. The Buskermate app can move a whole chord sheet to any capo position for you.

Keys that use this chord

the I chord in E major · the V chord in A major · the IV chord in B major

Scales that fit

Other E chords

EEmE7Emaj7Em7E6Em6Esus4Esus2E7sus4EdimEdim7Em7b5EaugEadd9E9Em9Emaj9

Major chords in other keys

CC♯DE♭EFF♯GA♭AB♭B

FAQ

What notes are in the E chord?

The E chord is made of E, G♯, B. A major triad — bright and stable, the most basic chord.

What's the easiest way to play E on guitar?

The standard shape, from the 6th string to the 1st, is 022100 (an open chord). If the barre is hard, put a capo on fret 2 and play a D shape — it sounds the same.

Which scale works for soloing over E?

E major or E major pentatonic fits well.

🎸 Transpose a whole chord sheet — Buskermate
Upload a PDF song sheet and Buskermate reads the chords and moves them to any key or capo position (the app is in Korean for now).