Open E Chord Guitar Shape: Chart and Fingering

The open E Major chord is a super popular chord and one of the first chords that guitarist learn. It uses all six strings, including the open E strings, which gives the chord a very bold and resonant sound. The image below contains the musical notation, chord chart, tabs and scale degrees for the open E chord.

E Major Chord Standard Open Shape

How to play the open E chord

  • Place your 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 5th string.
  • Place your 3rd finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string.
  • Place your 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 3rd string.
  • Strum all six strings.

Open E chord info

  • This is often one of the first chord that guitarists learn.
  • It contains the notes (from the 6th string down) E, B, E, G#, B and E.
  • It contains the 1 (root), 5, 1, 3, 5 and 1 in the key of E.
  • It is a Major chord.

Further Reading