E7 Chord

This page dives into the E7 dominant seventh chord for guitar - voicings, compatible scales and modes, plus where it grooves in iconic songs. E7 (E • G♯ • B • D) delivers that classic bluesy tension begging to resolve to A. It’s a staple in blues, rock, country, and funk.

Chord Voicings & Tablature

Common ways to play E7

Open Position (020100)

Classic Barre (x7979x)

Bluesy Rootless (020100 variation)

High Voicing (12 14 12 13 12 12)

Scales & Modes That Fit Perfectly

E7 is dominant, so Mixolydian and blues scales sound especially good over it.

E Mixolydian

E F♯ G♯ A B C♯ D E (the classic dominant sound)

e|-------------------------5-7-|
B|---------------------5-7-----|
G|---------------4-6-7---------|
D|-----------4-7---------------|
A|-----5-7-9-------------------|
E|-5-7-------------------------|

E Blues Scale

E G A A♯ B D E

e|-----------------------------------12--|
B|-------------------------------12-15--------|
G|----------------------12-14-15--------------|
D|----------------12-14-----------------------|
A|-------12-13-14-----------------------------|
E|-12-15--------------------------------------|

E Minor Pentatonic

E G A B D (great blues/rock sound over E7)

e|----------------------------12-15--|
B|-------------------------12-15------|
G|-------------------12-14------------|
D|-------------12-14------------------|
A|-------12-14------------------------|
E|-12-15------------------------------|

E7 in Legendary Songs

The bluesy crunch of E7 powers many great tracks:

• "Johnny B. Goode" by Chuck Berry – Classic 12-bar blues with strong E7 turns.
• "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd – Prominent in the turnaround and solos.
• "La Bamba" by Ritchie Valens – Punchy dominant feel in the progression.
• "Hound Dog" by Elvis Presley – Heavy E7 dominant energy.
• "Folsom Prison Blues" by Johnny Cash – Train-like groove with E7 resolve.
• "Brown Eyed Girl" by Van Morrison – Upbeat E7 to A changes.