Understanding the E7 Chord and Its Voicings

Whether you're a beginner strumming away on your guitar or a seasoned musician looking to refine your chord knowledge, understanding the intricacies of the E7 chord is crucial. This article will explore how to play the E7 chord, particularly at the 5th fret, and explain why the B note might sometimes seem to be missing. We will discuss common chord voicings, possible reasons for the missing B note, and provide tips to ensure you include every note in your chord.

E7 Chord Voicing on the 5th Fret

The E7 chord consists of the notes E, G, B, and D. A common way to play E7 on the guitar is by using a voicing on the 5th fret. Here's the shape:

e--0-- E
B--0-- D
G--1-- G
D--2-- B
A--2-- E
E--0-- E

In this voicing, the B note is actually present on the D string at the 2nd fret. However, if you’re playing a different voicing or omitting certain strings, the B note might seem to be missing.

Possible Reasons for Missing B Note

Different Voicing

One possible reason for the missing B note is the use of a different voicing. Depending on how you position your fingers, you might be using a voicing that emphasizes the E, G, and D without hitting the B note. This is a common strategy to achieve a clearer and more distinct sound.

Open Strings

Another reason for the missing B note is the use of open strings. If you are using open strings, you might not be fretting the B note on the D string. This can result in a different sound, but it might not necessarily affect the overall chord quality.

Simplified Chord

Some players simplify chords for easier transitions. In this case, certain notes might be omitted to make the transition smoother. While this can be helpful in certain contexts, it's important to know that there are ways to include all the notes if you choose to do so.

Conclusion and Tips for Inclusion

To ensure the B note is included while playing the E7 chord on the 5th fret, focus on the D string and make sure you are fretting it at the 2nd fret. If you are using a different voicing or omitting strings, you might not hear the B, but it can be included in various ways depending on the chord shape you choose to use.

Alternative Voicings

If you find that the B note is missing in the 5th fret position, you may want to consider moving the E7 chord to the 7th fret. In this position, the chord shape is as follows:

e--0-- E
B--0-- D
G--1-- G
D--2-- B
A--2-- E
E--0-- E

In this voicing, you can easily play all the notes in the chord. Additionally, you can play the B note on the 5th fret of the D string, as shown:

Move your 3rd finger down to the 6th string and play the B note.

Alternatively, from the 5th fret on the 5th string, play D, G, B, E.

These alternative fingerings and voicings ensure that all essential notes of the E7 chord are included, enhancing the richness and clarity of your playing.

Key Considerations Based on Musical Context

In a dominant seventh (dom7) chord like E7, the most important tones are the tri-tone (G and D) and the root (E). If you are the only player, the root is helpful, but the 5th (B) is the least important. However, the inclusion of the 5th can significantly affect the sound, so it’s worth considering whether to include it based on the musical context.

Blues Progression Example

For a blues progression, you might use a sequence like E7 - A7 - B7. In this case, a common voicing for E7 is G/D (6/7), followed by another voicing in G/C (5/6), then moving to A/D (B7). These voicings are all a single fret apart, following the natural flow of the blues progression.

By understanding the nuances of the E7 chord and its various voicings, you can improve your guitar playing and enhance your musical expression. Whether you're playing alone or with others, the choice of chord voicings can significantly impact the overall sound and feel of your music.