E7

About this chord

E7 (E dominant 7, E7th) has a gritty, urgent brightness with a bluesy bite, mixing tension and swagger. Essential in blues and rock, it powers turnarounds and classic progressions, while fitting country and roots styles. Its sound can hint at Spanish/Flamenco color, and appears in American folk and early rock ’n’ roll. Beginner-friendly open-position shapes on guitar ring raw and bold, while jazz players use tighter, sophisticated voicings. Commonly used as a dominant function chord that builds suspense and resolves to A, driving cadences and vamps.