[Acoustic Guitar Chords] > How to Play the E Chord (Positioning, Variations, and Exercises)
When you’re learning how to play the guitar, getting familiar with some of the most essential guitar chords is a great place to start.
One chord that you’ll likely find at the top of “must-learn” lists is the E chord.
This light and bright-sounding chord is used in a huge variety of popular music, so you’ve likely heard it even if you’re not quite sure how to play it yet.
On the journey to mastering the E chord, we’ll take a look at exactly what the E chord is, how to position your fingers to play it, some variations you can fool around with, and some exercises to really drive the chord home.
Ready? Then make sure your guitar is tuned and let’s dive in!
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Yes, I Want the FREE Download!What Is the Е Chord?
The E chord, also known as E major, consists of the notes E, G# and B. It has a light and happy sound to it and is found in many popular songs – from iconic rock songs by the Rolling Stones, to pop songs by the likes of Coldplay.
The E chord is also part of a very common chord progression – E, A, B. This includes three basic chords and is an easy one to remember. So if you’ve already learned the B chord and the A chord, you’ll have a whole chord progression under your belt!
Before we examine how to play the E chord, I just want to let you know that I’ll be using some chord diagrams in this article. If you haven’t already, I recommend checking out this article on chord diagrams just to familiarize yourself with how they work.
How to Play the Е Chord on the Guitar
First, let’s look at the open variation of the E chord. Open chords have one or more strings unfretted.
How to position your fingers for the E chord (4 Steps):
- Index finger on the 1st fret of the G string
- Middle finger on the 2nd fret of the A string
- Ring finger on the 2nd fret of the D string
- Strum down on all 6 strings
Sounds good, right? This open variation is known for its full and rich sound.
An Even Easier Variation of the E Chord
If you’re not quite there with the above variation, don’t stress! There is of course an even easier version that just requires two fingers – the E7 chord. Although it’s a bit of a two-finger cheat, it’s worth it if you’re struggling with the option above.
To play the E7 chord, position your fingers as follows:
- Index finger on the 1st fret of the G string
- Middle finger on the 2nd fret of the A string
As with the E chord, strum all 6 strings.
And there you have it! While the E7 has a different sound, because of the open D string, it will help you get by until you nail the E chord.
Е Chord Guitar Finger Position
As with all guitar chords, there are a couple of things to note when it comes to finger positioning.
For the standard open version, a common mistake that many beginners make is accidental muting, especially with the index finger as it reaches up and across the high E and B strings.
The best way to avoid this is to ensure you have an arch in your fingers. So instead of pressing down on the strings with flat fingers, work on maintaining an approximate 90-degree angle. Arching your fingers will ensure a clean and crisp sound.
Another note on finger positioning when playing the E chord: remember to keep a firm thumb. While the rest of your fingers are being kept busy, your thumb shouldn’t be completely idle! Gently press it into the back of the guitar neck for added stability, facing upwards.
Е Chord Exercises
Now that we’ve covered the basics of how to play this essential chord, it’s time to practice!
Now I know what you’re thinking: I can’t possibly practice any more – my fingers hurt! Well, I have good news: sore fingers are actually a good thing when learning guitar.
Why? Because that means you’re slowly developing calluses. Now although calluses might not be the look that you were going for, in the guitar world, they’re a great look!
Calluses mean that you have thicker skin on certain areas of your fingers, and therefore feel less pain when pressing down on strings. Wear them with pride because they’re proof that you’re putting in the work!
Now let’s look at a few simple exercises to help you nail the E chord every time.
E Chord Exercise 1
This exercise will help you develop a feel and an ear for the E chord. After a couple of rounds of this, you’ll get better at getting into position for the E chord.
- Using your fretting hand, form an E chord
- Strum down four times
- Release the chord
- Strum down four more times on the open the strings
- And repeat
E Chord Exercise 2
This second exercise is to help you quickly develop the muscle memory that’s so important for guitar players. Try this exercise out and your fingers will get used to instantly jumping into the E chord position.
- Place your hand on the strings
- Then, countdown from five to zero
- During those 5 seconds, get your hand into E chord position and press down on the strings
- Once you count to 0, strum the chord
I always advise keeping on top of a regular practice routine to ensure learning guitar remains a fun and rewarding experience.
E Chord Done, Next up!
Now that you’ve nailed the E chord, I’m sure that you’re eager to learn even more about the guitar. Try the E minor chord next!
If that’s the case, try out some other useful chords such as the C chord or the F chord. You’ll quickly find your guitar chord toolbox is becoming quite full!
If you want to move beyond chords and establish a solid practice routine, I recommend checking out Tony’s Acoustic Challenge. It’s a fun way to take your guitar playing to the next level with consistent, engaging exercises and a whole bunch of easy-to-follow video lessons.
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