E7 guitar chord
The E dominant 7th chord: every way to play it on the neck, the notes in it, and the scales that sound good over it.
What's in E7
- Notes
- E – G# – B – D
- Formula
- 1 – 3 – 5 – b7
- Name
- E dominant 7th
E7E · G# · B · D
5 ways to play it · Tuning E A D G B E
- Open
- D shape · 2nd fret
- C shape · 5th fret
- A shape · 7th fret
- G shape · 9th fret
What to play over E7
Start with the chord's own notes — E, G#, B, D — and land on them on the strong beats. Then reach for a scale; which one depends on the chord's job in the song.
- E Mixolydian mode
The dominant chord’s own scale: its four notes plus the 2, 4 and 6.
- E major pentatonic scale
Five notes that sit right on top of the chord.
- E blues scale
For blues: the ♭3 rubbing against the chord’s 3 is the whole point.
- E Phrygian dominant scale
When the chord resolves to a minor chord a fourth up (V7 to i): the ♭9 and ♭13 pull hard.
Questions
What notes are in a E7 chord?
E7 has 4 notes: E, G#, B, D. Counted from the root, its formula is 1 – 3 – 5 – b7.
What scale goes with E7?
E Mixolydian mode is the place to start. The dominant chord’s own scale: its four notes plus the 2, 4 and 6.