Here you will find E guitar chord charts. The E major chord is one of the first chords every guitarist learns.
It’s an easy chord to play, compared to a few others. It’s minor version is a simple lift of a finger.
Playing the E Chord
The first version of the E chord that everyone learns is in the open position. You play it by placing your 1st finger on the 3rd string 1st fret, 2nd finger on the 5th string 2nd fret, and 3rd finger on the 4th string 2nd fret.
Let the 6th, 2nd, and 1st string ring openly. Give it a strum and relish in the fact that millions of guitarists that have come before you have strummed this chord!
Lesser Known Version
Next up we have a lesser known version of E major that is often overlooked.
It is played in the open position by placing your 1st finger on the 3rd string 1st fret, 2nd finger on the 4th string 2nd fret, and 4th finger on the 1st string 4th fret. Let the 2nd string ring openly and do not strum the 5th or 6th string.
Compare it to the first version of E. It has a different colored sound. This one is less bass heavy and has more highs to it.
Other Variations
Up on the 7th fret you can play a D chord by barring the 1st thru 5th strings with your first finger. Then bar the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th strings with your 3rd finger on the 9th fret.
Careful not to bar the 1st string 7th fret. The correct way is to strum it without sounding the 6th string.
But, since this is an E chord, sounding that bass note has a cool effect.
You can also find an E chord at the 12th fret. This is your standard bar chord shape.
To play this chord, bar across all strings with your 1st finger on the 12th fret. Then place your 2nd finger on the 3rd string 13th fret, your 3rd finger on the 5th string 14th fret, and your 4th finger on the 4th string 14th fret.
Try moving this bar chord around, playing it on the 5th fret makes an A chord. Why is that?
For more tips, see how to make your guitar chords easy to play. Also, learn more about guitar chords for beginners including how to take the chords you just learned and move them around the fretboard for new and exciting sounds.
