Chord chart for EM7 Guitar Chord (E major 7th): Notes, Shapes & How to Play | Guitar Wiz

E major 7th guitar shapes

Popular fretboard positions with fingering suggestions

Showing 8 of 221 playable shapes

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E major 7th guitar chord diagram showing fretboard positions

About the chord

E major 7th guitar chord

EM7 is the E major 7th guitar chord. It uses the notes E, G♯, B, and D♯ and the interval formula 1-3-5-7.

The E major 7th major 7th chord, combining the root (E major 7th), major third G♯, perfect fifth B, and major seventh D♯, produces a lush, dreamy quality. The close interval between the fifth B and seventh D♯ adds a jazzy, sophisticated color, often conveying nostalgia, romance, or serenity.

Also written as Emaj7.

Root note: E
Quality: major 7th
Chord tones: 4
Playable shapes: 221

Chord tones

EG♯BD♯

Common guitar voicings

These are quick-start shapes for players who want the answer first and the deeper theory second.

Shape 021100

021100

View shape
  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 4th string.
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 1st fret of the 3rd string.
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 2nd fret of the 5th string.
  4. 4 Let the sixth, second, and first strings ring open.
  5. 5 Strum from the 6th string down.

Shape 022444

022444

View shape
  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string and 5th string in barre position.
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 4th fret of the 3rd string.
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 4th fret of the 2nd string.
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 4th fret of the 1st string.
  5. 5 Let the sixth string ring open.
  6. 6 Strum from the 6th string down.

Notes & Intervals

Each note below shows how the chord is built from its root. This is the theory layer underneath the fretboard shapes.

E Unison (Root) 1

The root anchors the chord and defines its tonal center.

G♯ Major Third 3

This note defines the chord's major quality and brings brightness to the sound.

B Perfect Fifth 5

The fifth reinforces stability and gives the chord its strong harmonic frame.

D♯ Major Seventh 7

The major seventh adds a smooth, lush tension close to the root.

Shape details

Every shape is shown with its diagram and exact fingering instructions.

E major 7th shape 021100

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 4th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 1st fret of the 3rd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 2nd fret of the 5th string
  4. 4 Let the sixth, second, and first strings ring open
  5. 5 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

E major 7th shape 022444

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string and 5th string in barre position
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 4th fret of the 3rd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 4th fret of the 2nd string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 4th fret of the 1st string
  5. 5 Let the sixth string ring open
  6. 6 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

E major 7th shape xx2444

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 4th fret of the 3rd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 4th fret of the 2nd string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 4th fret of the 1st string
  5. 5 Do not play the sixth and fifth strings
  6. 6 Strum from the fourth string down to the first string

E major 7th shape 066444

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 4th fret of the 1st string, 2nd string, and 3rd string in barre position
  2. 2 Place the 3rd finger on the 6th fret of the 5th string
  3. 3 Place the 4th finger on the 6th fret of the 4th string
  4. 4 Let the sixth string ring open
  5. 5 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

E major 7th shape 066454

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 4th fret of the 1st string and 3rd string in barre position
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 5th fret of the 2nd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 6th fret of the 5th string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 6th fret of the 4th string
  5. 5 Let the sixth string ring open
  6. 6 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

E major 7th shape 066404

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 4th fret of the 3rd string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 4th fret of the 1st string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 6th fret of the 5th string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 6th fret of the 4th string
  5. 5 Let the sixth and second strings ring open
  6. 6 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

E major 7th shape 066440

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 4th fret of the 3rd string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 4th fret of the 2nd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 6th fret of the 5th string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 6th fret of the 4th string
  5. 5 Let the sixth and first strings ring open
  6. 6 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

E major 7th shape 066450

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 4th fret of the 3rd string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 5th fret of the 2nd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 6th fret of the 5th string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 6th fret of the 4th string
  5. 5 Let the sixth and first strings ring open
  6. 6 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

Quick answers

What notes are in EM7?

EM7 uses the notes E, G♯, B, and D♯. Its interval formula is 1-3-5-7.

What is another name for EM7?

EM7 is also written as Emaj7.

How do you play EM7 on guitar?

Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 4th string. Place the 2nd finger on the 1st fret of the 3rd string. Place the 3rd finger on the 2nd fret of the 5th string. Let the sixth, second, and first strings ring open. Strum from the 6th string down.

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