The E Major chord is one of the most common and popular chords on the guitar. The open E chord is one of the first chords that most guitarists learn, and it has been used in countless songs across many genres.
Some Quick E Chord Theory
- The E Major chord contains the notes E, G# and B.
- The E Major chord is produced by playing the 1st (root), 3rd and 5th notes of the E Major scale.
- The E Major chord (just like all Major chords) contains the following intervals (from the root note): Major 3rd, minor 3rd, Perfect 4th (back to the root note).
- The E Major chord is the first chord in the key of E Major. The seven chords in the key of E Major are: E, F#m, G#m, A, B, C#m, D# diminished.
10 Ways To Play The E Major Chord
If you’ve come to this page just to view some chord diagrams for E, here they are.

Further Reading
- E Major scale
- How Major chords work
- Chords page
- E Major arpeggio