Beginners to chord songs may find the idea of chord songs daunting, so these easy mini E chords provide an easy starting point with only one finger needed and open strings!
Once mastered, this shape can be moved up and down the neck to produce different voicings of E major chords – especially handy when playing power chords!
Major
E major is one of the first chords most guitar players learn and can be used in numerous songs. To play it, place your index (1st) finger on the 3rd string 1st fret; middle (2nd) and ring (3rd) fingers should then place on 5th string 2nd fret and 4th string 14th fret, respectively. You may notice that your fifth (B) string is muted – this occurs because G major is three half-tones lower than E major;
E major can be combined with many chords, particularly those in A and B keys. Try exploring E major through chord progressions using these chords to gain a better sense of this popular key. Also try adding barre chords for practice as this will allow you to learn E major scale shapes as well as practice your fretboard knowledge; or move these shapes around to other positions such as 12th position on your fretboard!
Minor
E minor chords provide a vibrant contrast with major chords that sound brighter; its melancholic sounds come from its differences between root and third intervals varying slightly; simply put, major chords contain G (and C), while minor ones utilize G# instead.
The E minor scale contains one sharp note (F#), while all others are naturals. Knowing a key’s relative minor can be useful when playing music in multiple keys; minor keys tend to be three half-tones lower than their relative major key. Below are diagrams outlining five positions of the E minor scale using CAGED system with fingerings suggested and root note locations highlighted; these diagrams offer an effective and efficient method to learn it rapidly while providing a foundation for more advanced chord structures.
7th
For beginners, the E major chord can take multiple forms, including open and barre. Beginners may find the open version the most helpful as only one finger is necessary to fret all six strings simultaneously. To play it this way, place your index finger on G string at fret 13 with fret 14, middle finger on A string at fret 14, and ring finger on D string with fret 14 as per diagram below and repeat until all strings sound clear without any choking noises.
Once you’ve mastered this shape, try moving it around your fretboard for different tones and effects. Additionally, it can serve as the basis for adding other chords such as an E dominant 9 chord (E7#9) which includes all four notes from E major scale’s first, third, fifth, flat seventh and sharp ninth notes – great for adding suspense! Sus chords work wonderfully before or after another major or minor chord for added suspense!
9th
This week we are exploring the 9th chord, also referred to as an altered chord. It consists of the 1st, 3rd, 5th, flat 7th and sharp 9th notes from E major scale.
This chord creates a yearning and romantic atmosphere in songs like Alaskan folk-rock singer Jewel’s hit ‘You Were Meant for Me’; her acoustic version uses added ninth chords throughout to add that extra layer of emotion appropriate to love songs.
To play this chord, place your second finger on the third fret of the 5th string – this represents C, its root note – then move up the fretboard while muted its bass note (4th string). Strumming and listening for its sound; it differs significantly from what has come before because its 9th has higher pitched notes that create extra tension that must be resolved.