Intermediate · No barre

E7

21

Fingering and position

Place the middle finger on the 2nd fret of the A string, the index on the 1st fret of the G string. 4 strings ring open.

Difficulty

The E7 chord takes a little practice. Best tackled after the basic open chords.

Often paired chords

Exercise: shuffle it in

A chord on its own gets forgotten. The right reflex: shuffle it with the chords you already know. Launch a shuffle that includes this chord and play it 10 times in different contexts.

The E7 chord truly comes alive in motion. Launch a shuffle that includes it and play it across 3 or 4 different contexts: that is the best way to embed it in finger memory. Category: Intermediate.

Play a shuffle with E7

Frequently asked questions

What is the fingering for the E7 chord on guitar?
Place the middle finger on the 2nd fret of the A string, the index on the 1st fret of the G string. 4 strings ring open.
Is the E7 chord easy for a beginner?
The E7 chord takes a little practice. Best tackled after the basic open chords.
Does the E7 chord require a barre?
No, E7 is played without a barre: it is an open chord, accessible to beginners.
Which chords pair well with E7 on guitar?
E7 pairs naturally with Am, Dm, A, B7. Practise them in a shuffle to memorise the transitions.

Further reading