Master the Emaj7 Guitar Chord: Theory and Application

E maj7 position 1 guitar chord diagram

To build Emaj7, the E major seventh chord, take root E, major third G#, fifth B and major seventh D#. The interval from the root to the seventh is eleven semitones, and that single interval sets it apart from other seventh chords.

Eight voicings are mapped out here, five of them with open strings and four using a barre. In a major key it is the chord you get by stacking thirds on the first and fourth degrees. For soloing or filling in melody, the E major scale contains every note of the chord. After this one, next-level guitar chords extend the same idea.

Set a tempo in the chord player above, start the drums and play Emaj7 along with the loop.

E major 7th guitar chord is also written as Emaj7, EM7, EΔ7 or Ema7.

Notes of the E maj7 chord:

E G# B D#

Formula of the Major Seventh chord:

Formula: 1 3 5 7

E Maj7 Chord Interactive Fretboard

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Go to the full guitar chords tutorial.

E Maj7 Guitar Chord Diagrams

Position 1 Open

E maj7 position 1 guitar chord diagram

Finger Positions

  • Let the low E string play without pressing any fret
  • Let the B string play without pressing any fret
  • Let the high E string play without pressing any fret
  • Place your index finger (1) on the fret 1 of the D string
  • Place your middle finger (2) on the fret 1 of the G string
  • Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 2 of the A string

Position 2 Barre Open

E maj7 position 2 guitar chord diagram

Finger Positions

  • Let the low E string play without pressing any fret
  • Place your index finger (1) on the fret 4 of the G, B and high E strings at the same time
  • Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 6 of the D string
  • Place your pinky finger (4) on the fret 7 of the A string

Position 3 Barre Open

E maj7 position 3 guitar chord diagram

Finger Positions

  • Let the low E string play without pressing any fret
  • Place your index finger (1) on the fret 7 of the A and high E strings at the same time
  • Place your middle finger (2) on the fret 8 of the G string
  • Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 9 of the D string
  • Place your pinky finger (4) on the fret 9 of the B string

Position 4 Movable

E maj7 position 4 guitar chord diagram

Finger Positions

  • Mute the low E string
  • Mute the high E string
  • Place your index finger (1) on the fret 7 of the A string
  • Place your middle finger (2) on the fret 8 of the G string
  • Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 9 of the D string
  • Place your pinky finger (4) on the fret 9 of the B string

Position 5 Open

E maj7 position 5 guitar chord diagram

Finger Positions

  • Let the low E string play without pressing any fret
  • Mute the A string
  • Let the B string play without pressing any fret
  • Let the high E string play without pressing any fret
  • Place your middle finger (2) on the fret 8 of the G string
  • Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 9 of the D string

Position 6 Open

E maj7 position 6 guitar chord diagram

Finger Positions

  • Let the low E string play without pressing any fret
  • Let the B string play without pressing any fret
  • Let the high E string play without pressing any fret
  • Place your index finger (1) on the fret 6 of the A string
  • Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 9 of the D string
  • Place your pinky finger (4) on the fret 9 of the G string

Position 7 Barre Movable

E maj7 position 7 guitar chord diagram

Finger Positions

  • Mute the low E string
  • Place your index finger (1) on the fret 2 of the A and D strings at the same time
  • Place your pinky finger (4) on the fret 4 of the G, B and high E strings at the same time

Position 8 Barre Movable

E maj7 position 8 guitar chord diagram

Finger Positions

  • Mute the low E string
  • Place your index finger (1) on the fret 7 of the A and high E strings at the same time
  • Place your middle finger (2) on the fret 8 of the G string
  • Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 9 of the D string
  • Place your pinky finger (4) on the fret 9 of the B string

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Play This Chord With Other Roots

C maj7 | D maj7 | E maj7 | F maj7 | G maj7 | A maj7 | B maj7 | C#maj7 | D#maj7 | F#maj7 | G#maj7 | A#maj7 | Abmaj7 | Bbmaj7 | Dbmaj7 | Ebmaj7 | Gbmaj7


FAQ

What notes are in E major seventh?

E major seventh contains E, G#, B and D#. D# is the major seventh, one semitone short of the octave of E.

How many voicings does Emaj7 have?

Emaj7 has 8 voicings, 5 with open strings and 4 with a barre. The highest one reaches the 9th fret.

In which keys does Emaj7 occur?

Emaj7 is the I chord of E major and the IV chord of B major. Both scales contain E, G#, B and D#.

Which scale fits Emaj7?

The E major scale: E, F#, G#, A, B, C#, D#. It contains all four notes of the chord.