An E7 chord is comprised of the notes E, G#, B, and D.
Understanding the E7 Chord
The E7 chord is a dominant seventh chord, built upon a standard E major triad by adding a flattened seventh note. This added note gives the chord its distinctive, often bluesy or jazzy, sound.
Breakdown of Notes
To better understand the E7 chord, it's helpful to see how it relates to a standard E major chord:
-
E Major Chord: A standard E major chord is a triad made up of the root, major third, and perfect fifth. The notes are:
- E (Root)
- G# (Major Third)
- B (Perfect Fifth)
-
E7 Chord Formation: An E7 chord is formed by adding one more note to the E major triad. This added note is the minor seventh (or flattened seventh) relative to the root E.
- E (Root)
- G# (Major Third)
- B (Perfect Fifth)
- D (Minor Seventh)
The addition of the D note is what transforms the E major chord into an E7 dominant seventh chord.
Notes in an E7 Chord
The following table clearly outlines the notes that constitute an E7 chord:
| Chord Type | Notes Included | Interval from Root (E) |
|---|---|---|
| E Major | E, G#, B | Root, Major 3rd, Perfect 5th |
| E7 (E Dominant Seventh) | E, G#, B, D | Root, Major 3rd, Perfect 5th, Minor 7th |
For more details on playing and understanding the E7 chord, you can refer to resources like How to Play the E7 Chord on Guitar.
