Dominant 7th · beginner
E dominant 7th(E7)
E7 is E major with one finger lifted, and the V chord of every blues in A. All six strings ring — one of the most satisfying beginner dominant sounds on the instrument.
Notes
Intervals
Finger placement
- 1Middle finger (2): 2nd fret of the A string.
- 2Index finger (1): 1st fret of the G string.
Common mistakes
- Leaving the ring finger down and playing plain E.
- Muting the open high strings with a collapsed pinky side of the hand.
- Pressing harder than needed — E7 wants light pressure on just two frets.
Coaching tips
- It's E major minus the ring finger — the open D string is the 7th.
- All six strings can ring; check them individually after you place the shape.
- E7→A is the essential blues move in the key of A.
Troubleshooting
Sounds identical to E major
Make sure the D string is open — lifting the ring finger is the entire chord.
Buzz on the G string
Move the index closer to the 1st fret wire and lighten your grip.
Progressions that use E7
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the E dominant 7th chord?
E dominant 7th contains E, G#, B, D — the intervals R, 3, 5, b7 from the root E.
Is E dominant 7th a beginner chord?
E dominant 7th is rated beginner. E7 is E major with one finger lifted, and the V chord of every blues in A. All six strings ring — one of the most satisfying beginner dominant sounds on the instrument.
E dominant 7th: sounds identical to e major — what should I do?
Make sure the D string is open — lifting the ring finger is the entire chord.
E dominant 7th: buzz on the g string — what should I do?
Move the index closer to the 1st fret wire and lighten your grip.