How to play the G major over E chord on guitar

The G chord, pronounced "G major over E," is a unique guitar voicing that combines the open E string with a partial G major chord shape. This chord creates a bright, open sound that adds richness to progressions in various genres, including folk, country, and rock. Notable songs featuring the G/E chord include "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" by Bob Dylan and "Wonderwall" by Oasis.

The most popular way to play a G major over E chord on guitar is on the 3rd fret.

Follow these finger positions to play a G major over E chord on your guitar:

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

To strum this chord, use your pick or thumb to strum down across all six strings in one smooth motion.

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the G major over E chord, try playing an open G chord (320003) while keeping your 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 3rd (G) string. This creates a G/E chord, which has a similar sound but is easier to play.

The G major over E barre chord is a great way to add variety and richness to your guitar playing, especially when transitioning between chords in the key of E.

Here's how to play a G major over E barre chord:

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

The G major over E chord, also known as the G/E or G over E chord, is a powerful and emotionally charged chord that can add a sense of movement, yearning, or resolution to a chord progression. Here are some common chord progressions featuring the G/E chord:

• I - V/vi - vi - IV (G - D/F# - Em - C) - Used in "Let It Be" by The Beatles and "Chasing Cars" by Snow Patrol
• I - V/vi - IV - V (G - D/F# - C - D)
• vi - V/vi - IV - V (Em - D/F# - C - D) - Used in "Wonderwall" by Oasis and "Glycerine" by Bush
• ii - V/vi - I - V (Am - D/F# - G - D)
• IV - V/vi - I - V (C - D/F# - G - D) - Used in "Take Me to Church" by Hozier

To master the G major over E guitar chord, try this simple drill: play each note of the chord individually, starting with the lowest (E) and ascending to the highest (D). Focus on producing a clear, crisp sound for each note. Once you've played all four notes, strum the full chord and let it ring out.

Another effective drill is to practice transitioning between the G major over E chord and other chords you frequently use. Start slowly, ensuring each transition is smooth and precise, then gradually increase your speed as you become more comfortable with the changes.

Here are 10 popular songs you can play with the G major over E chord:

1. Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd (D, C, G)
2. Wild Horses by The Rolling Stones (G, Am, C, D)
3. Californication by Red Hot Chili Peppers (Am, F, C, G, Dm)
4. Wherever You Will Go by The Calling (C, G, Am, F)
5. More Than Words by Extreme (G, Cadd9, Am7, Cmaj7, Dsus4, D)
6. Hey There Delilah by Plain White T's (D, F#m, Bm, G, A)
7. Iris by Goo Goo Dolls (D, A, Bm, G)
8. Champagne Supernova by Oasis (G, D, Am7, C)
9. Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) by Green Day (G, C, D, Em)
10. Knockin' on Heaven's Door by Bob Dylan (G, D, Am7, C)