The short version
- E is E major. Its notes are E, G♯ and B (formula 1 – 3 – 5).
- Easiest way to play it: the open shape, frets 0 2 2 1 0 0 from low E to high E (x = don’t play).
- It sounds bright, settled and happy. Use it anywhere. It’s the home chord of a major key, and most pop, folk, country and rock songs are built from three or four of these.
- E turns up in 6 keys: A major (as the V), E major (as the I), B major (as the IV), F♯ minor (as the VII) and C♯ minor (as the III), and more in the table below.
- Try it in: E – B – C♯m – A, the four chords behind roughly half the pop songs ever written.
How to play E on guitar, step by step
Start with the shape marked “Start here” above: the open chord, the easiest way in.
- Put your index finger on fret 1 of the 3rd (G) string.
- Put your middle finger on fret 2 of the 5th (A) string.
- Put your ring finger on fret 2 of the 4th (D) string.
- Let the low E, B and high E strings ring open.
- Strum from the 6th (low E) string down, then press Strum on this page to check it sounds the same.
Once that’s comfy, try the other shape. Shape 2 is the barre chord, root on the 5th string (7th fret): x 7 9 9 9 7. Same chord, different spot on the neck, which helps when the next chord lives nearby.
Buzzing? Press just behind the fret wire, not in the middle of the fret, and come down on your fingertips so they don’t touch the next string. Then press Strum and play along: if yours sounds duller, one string is muted somewhere.
Notes in the E chord
E is built from 3 notes. On guitar you’ll often play some of them twice, on different strings. That’s normal; the chord is still E.
| Note | Interval | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| E | 1 root | Names the chord and anchors the bass. |
| G♯ | 3 major third | Makes it major (happy). |
| B | 5 perfect fifth | Adds weight; often the first note left out. |
What E sounds like, and when to use it
The plain-toast chord of music: a root, a major third and a fifth. It sounds like home, sunshine and the first chorus of every campfire song you’ve ever half-sung. Use it anywhere. It’s the home chord of a major key, and most pop, folk, country and rock songs are built from three or four of these.
What key is E in?
E turns up in 6 keys: A major (as the V), E major (as the I), B major (as the IV), F♯ minor (as the VII) and C♯ minor (as the III), and more in the table below. Tap a key to see the rest of its chords on the circle of fifths.
| Key | Numeral | Spelled as |
|---|---|---|
| A major | V | E |
| E major | I | E |
| B major | IV | E |
| F♯ minor | VII | E |
| C♯ minor | III | E |
| G♯ minor | VI | E |
Chords that go with E
Here’s a progression to try: E – B – C♯m – A (I–V–vi–IV), the four chords behind roughly half the pop songs ever written.
More progressions → Transpose it →
Using E in a Suno prompt
Suno pays attention to chord names in a style prompt, at least some of the time. Put the progression in, keep the BPM, and let it fill in the rest. Then compare its guitar part with the shapes above.
Acoustic pop, 104 BPM, chord progression E – B – C♯m – A, strummed acoustic guitar, bright piano, hand claps, warm male vocals, sunny and hopeful
E chord FAQ
What notes are in the E chord?
E has 3 notes: E (the root), G♯ (the major third) and B (the perfect fifth). The chord formula is 1 – 3 – 5.
How do you play E on guitar?
The easy way is open chord. Strings from low E to high E: 0 2 2 1 0 0 (x means don’t play that string). Put your index finger on fret 1 of the 3rd (G) string. Put your middle finger on fret 2 of the 5th (A) string. Put your ring finger on fret 2 of the 4th (D) string. Let the low E, B and high E strings ring open.
Why is it just called E?
A letter on its own always means a major chord, so E is short for E major. Minor chords get a small “m” (Em), and everything else gets a number or word on the end.
What key is E in?
E turns up in 6 keys: A major (as the V), E major (as the I), B major (as the IV), F♯ minor (as the VII) and C♯ minor (as the III), and more in the table below. Major keys: A major, E major, B major. Minor keys: F♯ minor, C♯ minor, G♯ minor.
What is the difference between E and Em?
The only difference is the third. E uses G♯, a major third; Em drops it a semitone to G. That one note turns happy into sad.
What chords go well with E?
Try A, B, C♯m and F♯m. The progression E – B – C♯m – A (I–V–vi–IV) is the four chords behind roughly half the pop songs ever written. Press Play progression on this page to hear it.
Other major chords
Got the chord? Now write the song
The free Paddy Prompt Studio turns a genre, mood and chord progression into a ready-to-paste Suno style prompt. No signup.
Open the Prompt Studio →