Learn › E Major Chord on Guitar (E)
New Released in April 2026
E Major Chord on Guitar (E)
E major (E) on the guitar: press the strings shown below; some strings ring open. Strum all six strings and you hear E, G#, B. First the picture, then each finger, then three chords to practise E with.
No account, no download. The demo has limited content. Advanced features are in ChordRunner Premium.
- MIDI keyboard
- Digital or acoustic piano
- Guitar
- Computer, phone or tablet
The E major guitar chord, finger by finger
Fingers and frets
- Middle: 5th string (A), fret 2
- Ring: 4th string (D), fret 2
- Index: 3rd string (G), fret 1
Which strings to strum
022100: × = do not play, 0 = open string.
Common E problems
- A string buzzes? Press right behind the fret, not on top of it.
- If a note is dead, a finger is lying on it. Curve the fingers more.
- Sore fingertips are normal at the start; short daily practice fixes it.
Which note each string plays
| 6th string (low E) | open: E |
|---|---|
| 5th string (A) | fret 2: B |
| 4th string (D) | fret 2: E |
| 3rd string (G) | fret 1: G# |
| 2nd string (B) | open: B |
| 1st string (high E) | open: E |
From E to Em only one thing changes: 3rd string (G): fret 1 → open.
Practise E in three steps
- Put the shape down slowly and pick each string once to check it rings.
- Lift the hand, then land all fingers together. Repeat ten times.
- Switch between E and A for one minute, then try B.
A second E shape
This shape has the same notes higher up the neck. Use it when the chord before or after sits nearby.
Make E automatic
ChordRunner listens to your guitar: when E appears, strum it and your runner jumps. The game shows the chord symbol only, so you learn to find the shape yourself. MIDI keyboard or microphone, both work.
Play the demoCommon questions
What notes are in the E guitar chord?
E major has three notes: E, G#, B. On the guitar some of them are doubled on different strings, so all six (or five) strings sound like one chord.
Which fingers do I use for E?
Middle finger: 5th string (A), fret 2, ring finger: 4th string (D), fret 2, index finger: 3rd string (G), fret 1.
Can I practise E with the microphone?
Yes. ChordRunner hears an acoustic or electric guitar through the microphone, and also a USB MIDI keyboard. It shows the chord symbol E, not the diagram, and checks the notes you strum.
Your instrument is the controller.
ChordRunner is a browser game that teaches piano and guitar chords: a chord appears on screen, you play it on a real instrument, and your runner jumps. MIDI keyboard or microphone, both work.
Try the demoKeep learning
Easy Guitar Chords for Beginners
Easy guitar chords for beginners: Em, Am, C, G, D, E, A and Dm with diagrams, the order to learn them and how …
Guitar Chord Chart: 21 Essential Chords
Guitar chord chart with diagrams: the 7 major, 7 minor and 7 seventh chords guitarists use most, how to read a…
Guitar Chord Game: Practise Chords on Your Guitar
A guitar chord game in your browser: a chord appears, you strum it, the microphone hears it. Practise chord ch…
E Major Chord on Piano (E)
How to play E major (E) on the piano: the notes E G# B on a keyboard, both hands, three inversions and the cho…
Chord Training That Feels Like a Game
Interactive chord training in your browser. Play major, minor, 7th and extended chords on a MIDI keyboard or a…
Master All 12 Major Chords on Piano
Every major chord on piano with notes and fingering, plus an interactive game that drills all 12 until they ar…