E7 6-string bass chord

How to play E7 on 6-string bass

The most common way, the first shape above: your middle finger on the A string at the 2nd fret, your ring finger on the D string at the 2nd fret, your index finger on the G string at the 1st fret and your little finger on the C string at the 2nd fret. Let the E string ring open. Don’t play the B string.

From the B string x 0 2 2 1 2 (x: not played, 0: open)

What notes are in E7?

E7, E dominant seventh, is E, G♯, B and D: the root (E), the major third (G♯), the perfect fifth (B) and the minor seventh (D). Its formula is 1 3 5 ♭7.

Are E7 and Emaj7 the same?

No. Both add a seventh to E, but E7 adds the minor seventh, D, and Emaj7 the major seventh, D♯. E7 sounds restless and wants to move on; Emaj7 sounds settled and dreamy.

Can I play E instead of E7?

Usually, yes: the song still works, with less pull. E7 is a dominant seventh, the V7 of A major, and its G♯ and D lead straight into A.

Keys with E7

E7 is the V7 chord in A major and the VII7 chord in F♯ minor, and the V7 of A minor, the major fifth chord from its harmonic minor scale.