Every beginner guitarist has to start somewhere, and knowing the E major chord is a great way to start understanding guitar chord theory. The E major chord not only is a very popular chord used in many genres but is also an easy chord to play!
The E major chord mixes very well with chords such as F#m, G#m, A, B, C#m, and D# diminished, which are all in the key of E major. For anyone interested in composing songs, we recommend you try those chords with E major!
The chord of E major has a very easy standard shape which any beginner should add to their repertoire of chords. Without further ado, let’s dive deep into the easiest ways to play this amazing chord that has been part of the rock, blues, and country scene for decades!
E Major Standard Chord Shape
In this case, E stands for Easy. The standard version E major chord isn’t only important to play, but you’ll learn quickly how to play this chord! This version of the chord is an open chord, and to play it you’ll need only your first three fingers.
You don’t have to worry about muting any strings or anything too advanced. Follow the next image to learn how to play this amazing chord:
Easiest E Major Chord Shape
We have for you here the easiest way in which you can play the E major chord. The sound of this chord is very bright. Therefore, it might sound strange mixed with other chords. To play this version of the chord, you’ll only need to use one finger and the first three strings! Follow the next image to learn how to play the easy version of E major:
E Major Triad Chord Shapes
There are many ways in which you can play this chord, and by learning to play the different triads that E major has, you’ll unlock a ton of different E major chord shapes. Each of these has a unique tone and sound even though they’re all E major chords! Follow the next images to learn how to play the different triads E major has for us:
E Major Barre Chord Shapes
If you’d like to step up your playing a notch, learning how to play these barre chords will help! Barre chords aren’t easy to play, but even beginner guitarists can learn how to play them with just a few hours of practice. Having these chord shapes in store will make you a more versatile player. Because of this, we recommend you learn these chord shapes if you feel ready!
To play barre chords, you must press all the strings on one fret, and you do that by using the side of your index finger in most cases. To get a good sound out of it, you must practice a lot. However, remember that it’s completely achievable for everyone!
Follow the next images to learn how to play the E major barre chord shapes:
E Major Substitutions
Some chords can replace the sound of Emaj and give it an interesting twist. Here we’ll show you some of the easiest and best-sounding chords that can be played instead of the standard Emaj chord! Follow the next images to learn how to play them:
