E Chord on Guitar (Major)
E major is one of the two easiest full chords on guitar and sounds huge because all six strings ring.
How to play it
- Place your 1st finger on the 1st fret of the G (3rd) string.
- Place your 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the A (5th) string.
- Place your 3rd finger on the 2nd fret of the D (4th) string, right next to your 2nd finger.
- Strum all six strings.
Fingering tip: Press just behind the fret wire, not on top of it. If a note buzzes, add a little pressure or move closer to the fret.
Practice loops
Play these slowly with one strum per beat. Loop each line for two minutes.
- E - A - E - B7 - the backbone of a thousand rock songs. Strum each chord four times, then change.
- E - E - A - E - slow blues in E. Strum each chord four times, then change.