E/G chord on guitar

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

E/G guitar chord diagram, open position4Gbass2B53ER1G#3GBEG#BE
Open position · Easy

How to play E/G

  1. Put your index finger on the 3rd (G) string at fret 1 (G#).
  2. Put your middle finger on the 5th (A) string at fret 2 (B).
  3. Put your ring finger on the 4th (D) string at fret 2 (E).
  4. Put your pinky finger on the 6th (low E) string at fret 3 (G).
  5. Let the open B and high E strings ring.
  6. Strum from the low E string down.
Lowest note: G (the root)Strings played: 6 of 6Other voicings: 3 below

All 4 ways to play E/G

Easiest first. Tap play to hear each one.
E/G guitar chord, open position4Gbass2B53ER1G#3GBEG#BE

Open position

Easy
E/G guitar chord, open position×4Gbass2B53ER1G#3GBEG#B

Open position

Easy
E/G guitar chord, barre at fret 44fr××2Gbass1B53ER1G#3GBEG#

Barre at fret 4

Medium
E/G guitar chord, barre at fret 99fr×2Gbass1B51ER1G#34ERGBEG#E

Barre at fret 9

Hard

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/G

More E chords

All E guitar chords

E/G with another bass note

major chords in every key

Questions

What notes are in the E/G chord?

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

How do you play E/G on guitar?

The easiest E/G is the "open position" shape. Put your index finger on the 3rd (G) string at fret 1 (G#). Put your middle finger on the 5th (A) string at fret 2 (B). Put your ring finger on the 4th (D) string at fret 2 (E).

Is E/G hard to play on guitar?

No. The easiest version is rated easy and uses 4 fretted notes plus open strings.

What is the difference between E/G 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/G in?

E/G 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.