In this lesson, you’ll learn how to play 3 more chords that are almost just like the E chord shape we’ve already worked with. These new chords have fancy sounding names, but don’t let them scare you. To play them requires you to take a finger away. In that sense, they are easier to play the E major chord we’ve learned.

The E Chord

First, let’s recap how to form the E chord:

1. Place your 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the A string
2. Place your 3rd finger on the 2nd fret of the D string
3. Place your 1st finger on the 1st fret of the G string
4. Leave the B and high E strings open

E

The E7 Chord

The E seventh chord, or E7,  is almost just like the regular E chord, but you’ll play the D string open instead of fretting the 2nd  fret.

The E minor Chord

Minor chords sound sad or melancholy. The open E minor chord is labeled as “Em” (minor always a lower case m). It is played almost like the regular E chord, but you’ll play the G string open instead of fretting the 1st fret. Can you hear the difference between E and Em? One is happy, the other sad.

The E minor Seventh

You’ve already learned the E minor seventh chord which is labeled as Em7. It’s the easiest chord we’ll learn. Just fret the 2nd fret of the A string and strum all six strings. It’s super easy, but can you remember it by name?

Your Assignment

• By the end of this lesson, you should be able to play all four E chord shapes
• Check your chords one note at a time- do you hear buzzing? Don’t forget the three rules from the first lesson!
• You will see these chords again very soon, so recap them each day until you’ve got them down

 Next Lesson: “The C Chord Group”