An easy and rewarding way to add E7 chords to your guitar chords repertoire is learning the dominant seventh chord several ways – add E7 into your songs for added variety!
This E7 voicing utilizes the same interval pattern found in C form (R-5-3), with just one modification; specifically, its perfect fifth is removed as it doesn’t add much value to the chord.
Open E7
E7 chord, also known as a dominant seventh chord, is an excellent starting point for beginners looking to dive into music. Used extensively in songs like Auld Lang Syne and other forms of funk music, learning this chord will open up a whole new world of musical discovery for you!
The E dominant 7 chord contains chord tones 1, 3, 5, and b7 from E major scale, giving this chord its distinct rock sound. Additionally, this chord incorporates note G which adds another note for added variety and creates more of an impactful sound than traditional E minor chords.
To play this chord, simply place your index finger in the first fret of the G string and your middle finger in the second fret of A string – this will produce low E, G# and D notes; you may add your ring and pinky fingers for additional notes; additionally you may omit C (fifth note) altogether as it doesn’t add much definition to this chord.
Open D7
This chord is one of the easiest open chords to form on a guitar. Use this shape to barre chords up and down the fretboard, creating major triads and minor 7th chords with just a few steps – simply remove one finger for E major chord formation or add another for B major.
To play this version of an open D7, place your first finger (middle) on the 3rd string (1st fret) and your second (ring) finger (2nd fret). Strum all six strings while making sure that your ring finger stays off of 4th string (4th fret) to avoid accidentally muzzing it.
This chord is a timeless blues staple and fits seamlessly into songs from many genres – pop, folk and rock among them! Additionally, its simplicity makes it ideal for beginners looking to start learning bar chords as it provides an effective means of getting acquainted with all their notes that comprise this versatile chord.
Open G7
This chord is another of the easier open chords for beginners to learn, being moveable across the fretboard to produce new and interesting tones. Additionally, its shape can also be moved for added variation on new sounds. E7 is a dominant seventh chord made up of an E major triad and its flattened 7th (E G# B).
Dominant 7th chords can add tension and drama to your guitar playing, as they combine the sounds of both major and minor chords into a song’s arrangement. They really stand out and stand out.
Learning this G7 voicing will open up a range of musical genres for you to compose with, from folk songs to funk. Practice this chord on your own with ChordBank guitar lessons or get real-time feedback through our Chord Coach app, both available for free trial!
Open B7
At first glance, the B7 chord can appear daunting; as with most dominant seventh chords it requires some stretching to play smoothly and sound good. With practice comes ease – as with any guitar chord the more you practice them the easier they become! For guitarists there are various variations available such as bar type variations that use only second fret; also moveable five string barre chords which enable changing keys easily.
An alternative option for beginners is leaving the top string, the low E, open. This produces a very deep and bluesy tone and only requires three fingers – more manageable for newcomers! To play it simply place your index finger at the 2nd fret of A string and barre all strings except low E before placing middle finger and ring finger on 5th string (5th string being D), producing notes E G# D high E with this method! Also excellent way of building pinky finger strength!