E/D chord on guitar

E Major Over D. Notes: E, G# and B.

E/D guitar chord diagram, open position××1G#3DG#BE
Open position · Easy

How to play E/D

  1. Put your index finger on the 3rd (G) string at fret 1 (G#).
  2. Let the open D, B and high E strings ring.
  3. Don't play the low E and A strings: skip them or mute them with a fretting finger.
  4. Strum from the D string down.
Lowest note: D (the root)Strings played: 4 of 6Other voicings: 3 below

All 4 ways to play E/D

Easiest first. Tap play to hear each one.
E/D guitar chord, open position××1G#3DG#BE

Open position

Easy
E/D guitar chord, fret 7 position7fr××3ER4G#31B5DEG#B

Fret 7 position

Medium
E/D guitar chord, barre at fret 44fr××1B52ER1G#3DBEG#

Barre at fret 4

Medium
E/D guitar chord, barre at fret 44fr×2Dbass4G#31B53ER1G#3DG#BEG#

Barre at fret 4

Medium

Notes and theory

Eroot
G#3 · major third
B5 · perfect fifth

The major triad is the bright, settled chord that most songs start and end on. The formula is 1 3 5, and you will also see it written as Emaj and EM.

Keys that use E/D

More E chords

All E guitar chords

E/D with another bass note

major chords in every key

Questions

What notes are in the E/D chord?

E/D (E major over D) is made of three notes: E (root), G# (major third) and B (perfect fifth). The slash means D is played as the lowest note.

How do you play E/D on guitar?

The easiest E/D is the "open position" shape. Put your index finger on the 3rd (G) string at fret 1 (G#). Let the open D, B and high E strings ring. Don't play the low E and A strings: skip them or mute them with a fretting finger.

Is E/D hard to play on guitar?

No. The easiest version is rated easy and uses 1 fretted note plus open strings.

What is the difference between E/D and Em?

Only the third changes. E major uses a major third and sounds bright; E minor lowers that note by a half step, which makes it sound darker. The root and the fifth stay the same.

What key is E/D in?

E/D belongs to 6 keys: E major (as the I chord), A major (as the V chord), B major (as the IV chord), C sharp minor (as the III chord), F sharp minor (as the VII chord) and G sharp minor (as the VI chord).

What does a major chord sound like?

The major triad is the bright, settled chord that most songs start and end on.