E Major 7 Chord

What is the E Major 7 Chord?

The E Major 7 chord is a useful grip to learn because it shows you the core chord tones you'll reuse in riffs, progressions, and improvisation.

Notes and Arpeggios

Major 7th chords add the natural 7th to a major triad, producing a smooth, lush sound often described as "jazzy" or sophisticated. They feel stable but colorful — a step up from a basic major chord without adding tension. The chord tones are: E, G#, B, D#. It's built from degrees 1, 3, 5, and 7.

How to Use It

This is especially common in blues and jazz, and it also shows up in funk and R&B comping. On bass, you usually outline this chord instead of strumming it: emphasize the root, 3rd, 5th, and 7th as the harmony requires, then use passing tones to connect back to the groove.

Move between this chord and its nearest neighbor without leaving the same four- or five-fret box. Use the highlights to spot where the same tone repeats across strings.