Chord Information
Learn how to play E7 on piano
Notes in Chord
Intervals
Inversion
Notes (bottom to top): E4 - G#4 - B4 - D5
Right Hand Fingering
3=middle, 4=ring, 5=pinky
Interactive Piano
Click the highlighted keys to play the E7 chord
About the E7 Chord
The E7 chord is the sound of blues guitar translated to piano. Built from E-G#-B-D, this dominant seventh is perhaps the most iconic chord in blues music—when guitarists play an open E7, they're accessing centuries of musical tradition. On piano, E7 captures that same raw emotional power while opening doors to jazz sophistication.
E7 is the dominant of A, making it central to the key that guitar-based music loves. The open strings of a guitar favor A major, and E7 provides the tension that makes A sound like home. When you play E7 on piano, you're speaking the same harmonic language that defines country, rock, and blues.
The voicing of E7 matters tremendously for its character. A close-position E7 sounds compact and punchy, perfect for rock and blues. Spread the notes across two hands, and E7 becomes lush and sophisticated, suitable for jazz ballads. This versatility makes E7 essential in any pianist's vocabulary.
Music Theory & Usage
E7 is the V7 chord in A major, one of the most important keys in popular music due to its guitar-friendly nature. The resolution E7-A is fundamental to countless songs. In blues, E7 serves as the I7 chord in an E blues progression, providing that characteristic tension from the very first bar.
In jazz, E7 appears in ii-V-I progressions leading to A (Bm7-E7-Amaj7). It's also a common secondary dominant in D major, functioning as V7/V to lead to A. The E7-A resolution is so strong that E7 can be used to tonicize A even within other keys.
Famous Songs Using E7
Hear how professional musicians use the E7 chord in these well-known songs:
“Pride and Joy”
by Stevie Ray Vaughan
E7 drives the shuffle rhythm of this Texas blues classic
“Crossroads”
by Cream/Robert Johnson
Opens with E7 establishing the blues tonality
“La Bamba”
by Ritchie Valens
Uses E7 in the I-IV-V progression in A major
“Wonderful Tonight”
by Eric Clapton
Features E7 resolving to A in the verse progression
How to Play E7 on Piano
- Place your thumb on E.
- Place your index finger on G#.
- Place your middle finger on B.
- Place your pinky finger on D.
- Press all keys simultaneously to hear the E7 chord.
Recommended fingering: 1-2-3-5 (right hand)
E7 Chord Inversions
The E7 chord can be played in different inversions:
Root Position
E - G# - B - D (bass note: E)
First Inversion
G# - B - D - E (bass note: G#)
Second Inversion
B - D - E - G# (bass note: B)
Common Chord Progressions Using E7
ii-V-I Jazz Progression
Common chord progression
I-vi-ii-V Progression
Common chord progression
Practice Tips for E7
- Start slowly and focus on pressing all keys simultaneously for a clean sound.
- Practice transitioning between E7 and other common chords to build muscle memory.
- Listen carefully to how the seventh interval creates tension and color in the chord.
- Practice resolving this chord to its natural target chords in progressions.
Frequently Asked Questions about E7
What notes are in E7?
E7 contains E (root), G# (major 3rd), B (perfect 5th), and D (minor 7th). The D is what creates the dominant seventh character—it adds tension that naturally wants to resolve to A.
Why is E7 so important in blues?
E7 is central to blues for two reasons: it's the I7 chord in E blues (the most common blues key for guitar), and it's the V7 in A blues. The guitar's open strings make E and A the most natural keys for blues, and E7 provides essential tension in both.
What's the best way to voice E7 on piano?
For blues/rock: play a compact voicing with all notes close together (E-G#-B-D). For jazz: try shell voicings (E-G#-D in the left hand) or rootless voicings (G#-D-F# for E9). Spread voicings across both hands create a fuller, more orchestral sound.
What chord does E7 resolve to?
E7 most naturally resolves to A major or A minor. The G# in E7 pulls up to A, while D pulls down to C#. In blues, E7 can resolve to A7 (another dominant) or remain unresolved, maintaining perpetual tension.