The open E Major 7 chord contains a semitone between the D# and open E string. This produces a tense, but beautiful sound. The image below contains the musical notation, chord chart, tabs and scale degrees for the open E Major 7 chord.
How to play the open E Major 7 chord
- Place your 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string.
- Place your 3rd finger on the 4th fret of the 3rd string.
- Place your 4th finger on the 4th fret of the 2nd string.
- Strum the first four strings.
Open E Maj 7 Chord info
- This shape is the open E Major 7 shape.
- It is the easiest way to play the chord.
- It contains the notes (from the 4th string down) E, B, D# and E.
- It contains the 1 (root), 5, 7 and 1 in the key of E.
- It contains a semitone ‘clash’ between the D# on the 2nd string and (open) E on the 1st string. This semitone clash gives the chord a unique and interesting sound.
- It is a Major 7 chord.