Premium
VIP
Beta Tester
Open chords in the Key of E
Lesson #202 • Dec 26, 2018
Video Overview
Instructional PDF 2 pages
Editor’s notes
One of my favorite things to dive into when I pick up my guitar is freely strumming open chords in the key of E. By which I mean, taking the traditional chord voicings in the key of E-major (E F#m G#m A B C#m) and playing these shapes with the 1st, 2nd, and 6th strings left open. Using these open chord voicings as building blocks, you can combine then any way you want - and end up with some progressions that sound easy, breezy, and downright fun to play. Which is what makes for a good low-stress warm up exercise! Let me show you how it’s done.
The typical way to play chords in the key of E
First, let’s understand how to “normally” play these chords in the key of E-major. Going up the fretboard we have:
e –––0––––2––––4––––5––––7––––9––– –––––
B –––0––––2––––4––––5––––7––––9––– ––9––
G –––1––––2––––4––––6––––8––––9––– ––9––
D –––2––––4––––6––––7––––9–––11––– ––9––
A –––2––––4––––6––––7––––9–––11––– ––7––
E –––0––––2––––4––––5––––7––––9––– ––0––
E F#m G#m A B C#m E
Those same chords, but with open voicings
Here, we’re going to make the sweeping change (for all of the chords) of leaving the 1st, 2nd, and 6th strings open. Meaning, we’re not going to press down frets on those strings - no matter what the chord is.
e –––0––––0––––0––––0––––0––––0––– ––0––
B –––0––––0––––0––––0––––0––––0––– ––0––
G –––1––––2––––4––––6––––8––––9––– ––9––
D –––2––––4––––6––––7––––9–––11––– ––9––
A –––2––––4––––6––––7––––9–––11––– ––7––
E –––0––––0––––0––––0––––0––––0––– ––0––
E F#m G#m A B C#m E
Here are those same shapes (in tab form), without the 1st 2nd or 6 strings typed out. You should still play those 3 strings (leave them open) - but the focus here is to notice the chord shapes you’re using. Look for patterns. For example, the E A and B chords all use the same shape on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th strings. Likewise, the F#m G#m and C#m all use the same shape.
e –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––
B –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––
G –––1––––2––––4––––6––––8––––9––– ––9––
D –––2––––4––––6––––7––––9–––11––– ––9––
A –––2––––4––––6––––7––––9–––11––– ––7––
E –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––
E F#m G#m A B C#m E
Now, mix and match these chord shapes!
Think of each of these chord shapes as a building block - which can be freely used & combined in any order. Keep this in mind when playing these shapes. Try out a few of them together, in a pattern, and repeat. Experiment with different strumming patterns. Play around with which strings you’re accenting. Mix it up! Especially when you’re warming up, this sort of free play can be very helpful to get the blood flowing and try something new.
Why do some of these chords sound weird?
You’ll notice that some of these chords sound “better” than others. Specifically, the E-major shape sounds the best - while the G#m sounds dissonant (and clashing to the ear). The A and the B have a major sound, but don’t ring as cleanly as “normal” A and B chords. This is all okay! The reason is that, those open strings (the 1st, 2nd, and 6th strings) are notes that aren’t used in many of these chords - which makes them sound a bit “off” and less defined. But, I think this is fine - music isn’t always about coloring inside the lines. And while some of these chords sound cleaner than others, they’re all using notes from the key of E - so there is a nice consistency that can be heard no matter how you put them together.
Good luck!
I hope this was helpful. As always, I encourage you to be in touch with any questions.
Browse Related Lessons
Click any tag below to view other lessons I've made in that category:
Enjoy My Lessons? Show Your Support!
Most of the lessons on my website are 100% free. If you have the means, please show your support with a tip jar contribution. I put many hours into every lesson — but it only takes you a minute to make a donation. You have my thanks!
Fun & Helpful Tools I've Made
Subscribe to my YouTube channel
Be sure to never miss a lesson by subscribing on YouTube. I put out 2-3 new videos every week. These include full song lessons, as well as covers, practice tips, behind-the-scenes updates. Thanks!
Recent Lessons
-
July 24, 2024
Must-Know Strumming Patterns in 6/8 Time
-
July 13, 2024
"Wondering Why" by Red Clay Strays
-
July 8, 2024
Viewing Notes in a Certain Area of the Fretboard
-
June 21, 2024
"Sultans of Swing" by Dire Straits
-
June 14, 2024
"Have a Little Faith In Me" by John Hiatt
-
June 6, 2023
"And It's Still Alright" by Nathaniel Rateliff
-
June 1, 2024
Introduction to Reggae Strumming & Rhythm
-
May 20, 2024
What Types of Play-Along Covers are Most Helpful?
-
May 10, 2024
"Wichita Lineman" by Glen Campbell
-
May 1, 2024
Tour of My New "KeyMaster" Web Tool
-
April 24, 2024
13 Must-Know Riffs with Droning Strings
-
April 18, 2024
"Moonshadow" by Cat Stevens