Playing the guitar in Open E tuning offers a fascinating world of unique chord shapes and harmonies. Among the array of chords available, Open E chords stand out for their distinctive sound and versatility. In this article, we will explore some of the most popular Open E guitar chords and learn how they can be effortlessly played.
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Open E chords on your guitar
The Open E chords on your guitar are major chords played in Open E tuning. This tuning is a specific way of tuning the strings of your guitar, where the pitches of the strings are set to E-B-E-G#-B-E from the thickest to the thinnest string. In addition, it allows for easy access to certain chord shapes without needing to fret any notes.
The open E Major chord is composed of the notes E, G#, and B. It is formed by playing the 1st (root), 3rd, and 5th notes of the E Major scale. The intervals in the E Major chord, measured from the root note (E), are a Major 3rd (G#), followed by a minor 3rd (B), and then a Perfect 4th (E).
How to tune open E guitar chord
To play your guitar in open E chords, you must tune your instrument in open E tuning. Following these steps to have open E tuning guitar:
- Leave the 6th string (the thickest string) open, producing the note E.
- Leave the 5th string open, producing the note B.
- Press down the 4th string on the 1st fret with your index finger, creating the note G#.
- Press down the 3rd string on the 2nd fret with your middle finger, creating the note B.
- Press down the 2nd string on the 2nd fret with your ring finger, producing the note E.
- Leave the 1st string (the thinnest string) open, producing another E note.
Strum all the strings from the 6th to the 1st, and you’ll hear the pleasant and bright sound of the Open E guitar chords. This tuning and chord shape offer a unique and resonant quality to your guitar playing. It makes a popular choice in various music genres, especially for slide guitar playing and creating distinctive chord progressions.
Open E chord shapes
Open E major chord
When playing in Open E tuning, in addition to the basic E major chord, you can access many other chords without fretting any notes. So, let’s dive in some common chords that can be played in Open E tuning:
Open minor chord
In Open E tuning, you can play the open minor chord for E minor (Em) without fretting any notes. To play the E minor (Em) chord in Open E tuning, you simply strum all the open strings. In addition, this chord produces a mellow and melancholic sound, making it a common choice for expressing emotions in music.
In conclusion, whether you’re strumming soulful ballads or rocking out with upbeat tunes, don’t hesitate to embrace the beauty of Open E chords. Let the sounds of Open E tuning inspire your musical journey and elevate your guitar playing to new heights.
