How to play the Emaj7 chord on guitar

The Emaj7 chord, pronounced E major seventh, is a rich and versatile guitar chord that adds a dreamy, complex flavor to various musical styles. Comprised of the notes E, G#, B, and D#, this chord is frequently used in jazz, R&B, and neo-soul genres. Notable songs featuring Emaj7 include "Never Going Back Again" by Fleetwood Mac and "Isn't She Lovely" by Stevie Wonder.

The most standard way to play the Emaj7 chord on guitar is as a barre chord on the 7th fret.

Follow these finger positions to play a Emaj7 chord on your guitar:

1. Barre your index finger across all six strings on the 7th fret.
2. Place your middle finger on the 8th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 9th fret of the 5th (A) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 9th fret of the 4th (D) string.

To strum this chord, use your pick or thumb to strum down and up across all six strings. Make sure to apply firm pressure with your fretting fingers to ensure all notes ring out clearly.

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the Emaj7 chord, try this:

1. Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the 3rd (G) string.
2. Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 5th (A) string.
3. Leave the 1st (high E), 2nd (B), 4th (D), and 6th (low E) strings open.

Learning to play the Emaj7 chord as a barre chord allows you to easily change positions and keys while maintaining the same chord shape, which is great for playing a wide variety of songs.

Here's how to play an Emaj7 barre chord:

1. Place your index finger across all six strings on the 7th fret, creating a barre.
2. Place your middle finger on the 8th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 9th fret of the 5th (A) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 9th fret of the 4th (D) string.
5. Strum from the 6th (low E) string down to the 1st (high E) string.

The Emaj7 chord is often used in progressions to add a dreamy, wistful, or bittersweet feel to a song. Some common chord progressions featuring Emaj7 include:

• I-vi-ii-V (Emaj7-C#min7-F#min7-B7) - Used in "Fly Me to the Moon" and "Autumn Leaves"
• I-iii-vi-iii-IV-I-IV-V (Emaj7-G#min7-C#min7-G#min7-Amaj7-Emaj7-Amaj7-B7)
• I-vi-IV-V (Emaj7-C#min7-Amaj7-B7) - Used in "I Can't Help Falling in Love" and "Can't Take My Eyes Off You"
• ii-V-I (F#min7-B7-Emaj7) - A common jazz turnaround progression
• vi-ii-V-I (C#min7-F#min7-B7-Emaj7) - Another common jazz progression

To master the Emaj7 chord, try this simple drill: play each note of the chord individually, starting with the lowest note (E) and ascending to the highest (D#). Focus on producing a clear, ringing tone for each note. Once you've played all four notes, strum the full chord, letting each note ring out together.

Another effective drill is to practice transitioning smoothly between Emaj7 and other common chords, such as A and B7. Play each chord for four beats, then switch to the next, maintaining a steady rhythm throughout the exercise. With consistent practice, you'll develop muscle memory and fluency.

Here are 10 popular songs you can play with the Emaj7 chord.

1. Hey Jude by The Beatles (F, C, G, D, Emaj7, A7, Dm7)
2. Just the Way You Are by Billy Joel (D, Gmaj7, Emaj7, F#m7, Bm7)
3. Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton (A, E, Emaj7, D, A7sus4, Dmaj7, Bm7)
4. Wonderwall by Oasis (Em7, G, D, A7sus4, Emaj7)
5. The Scientist by Coldplay (Dm7, Emaj7, Amaj7, Asus4)
6. Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin (Am, G, C, D, Fmaj7, Am7, Emaj7)
7. Knockin' on Heaven's Door by Bob Dylan (G, D, Am7, Emaj7)
8. Tiny Dancer by Elton John (Emaj7, Gm7, F#m7, B7)
9. Blackbird by The Beatles (G, A, Emaj7, C)
10. The Sound of Silence by Simon & Garfunkel (Em, G, D6, Emaj7, Cmaj7)