How to Play the E Shape Barre Chord on Guitar
The E shape is the open E chord moved to higher frets. Play open E with the middle, ring, and pinky fingers. Then lay the index finger across all 6 strings as a barre, which means one finger presses several strings at the same fret. The root, the note that names the chord, sits on string 6. At fret 1, the E shape gives F major.
The E shape is the most common barre chord. Together with the A shape, it covers most barre chords used in songs. The CAGED overview explains how it connects with the other CAGED shapes. The sections below cover open E, the movable E shape, chord names, buzzing strings, minor and 7th versions, partial E shapes, and practice.
The open E chord you already know
String 1 is the thinnest string (high E), and string 6 is the thickest string (low E). Finger 1 is the index finger, and finger 4 is the pinky. All fret lists below run from string 6 to string 1.
The open E chord contains these notes and chord tones:
- String 6 rings open and plays the root.
- String 5 is at fret 2 and plays the perfect 5th.
- String 4 is at fret 2 and plays the root.
- String 3 is at fret 1 and plays the major 3rd, G♯.
- String 2 rings open and plays the perfect 5th.
- String 1 rings open and plays the root.
Strings 6, 2, and 1 are open strings, so the nut sets their pitch. When you move the chord to a higher fret, the index finger presses those 3 strings at the new fret.
Turning open E into a movable shape
Refinger the open E
Play open E with the middle finger on string 3, the ring finger on string 5, and the pinky on string 4. This leaves the index finger free for the barre.
Check the open chord one string at a time before moving it. Each of the 6 strings should ring cleanly.
Barre and move to a higher fret
Lay the index finger across all 6 strings at fret n. Place the middle finger on string 3 at fret n+1, the ring finger on string 5 at fret n+2, and the pinky on string 4 at fret n+2.
The E shape spans 3 frets, from fret n to fret n+2. Keep the fingers curved so they do not mute neighboring strings.
The index only needs 3 strings
In the major E shape, the other fingers fret strings 5, 4, and 3. The index finger only has to press strings 6, 2, and 1 cleanly.
You do not need equal barre pressure across all 6 strings. Weak pressure under strings 5, 4, and 3 will not stop the major chord from ringing because the other fingers fret those strings.
Naming the chord from string 6
The root on string 6 at fret n names the chord, as it does with a power chord. The same root also appears on string 4 at fret n+2 and string 1 at fret n.
| Barre fret | Chord |
|---|---|
| fret 1 | F |
| fret 3 | G |
| fret 5 | A |
| fret 7 | B |
| fret 8 | C |
| fret 10 | D |
| fret 12 | E |
Fret 2 gives F♯, also called G♭. Fret 12 gives E one octave higher than the open string.
For F major, play frets 1, 3, 3, 2, 1, 1. For G major, move the same E shape to frets 3, 5, 5, 4, 3, 3.
Fixing buzzing and dead strings
Index right behind the fret wire
Place the index finger close behind the fret wire, rather than in the middle of the fret space. You need less pressure there to fret each note cleanly.
Do not place the index finger on the fret wire. That can mute the strings or cause buzzing.
Roll the index onto its firmer side
Tilt the index finger slightly toward the thumb. The side of the finger is firmer than its softer center and often presses the strings more evenly.
If a knuckle crease lands on string 2 or string 1, move the index finger slightly along the fret. Check both strings again after each adjustment.
Thumb and arm, not squeeze
Keep the thumb low behind the neck, roughly behind the middle finger. Let the weight of the arm pull the hand back instead of pinching the neck between the thumb and index finger.
Use only enough pressure for the strings to ring. Release the pressure whenever you stop playing the chord.
Build from the barre
Place the index finger first. Play strings 6, 2, and 1 separately and adjust the finger until all 3 ring cleanly.
Add the middle, ring, and pinky fingers. Play each string separately again before strumming the full chord.
Minor and 7th versions of the E shape
Minor
Lift the middle finger from the major E shape. String 3 at fret n now plays the minor 3rd and must be pressed by the barre.
The index finger must press strings 6, 3, 2, and 1 cleanly. Keep the ring finger on string 5 at fret n+2 and the pinky on string 4 at fret n+2. F minor uses frets 1, 3, 3, 1, 1, 1.
Dominant 7
Start with the major E shape and lift the pinky. String 4 at fret n now plays the flat 7th.
The middle finger stays on string 3 at fret n+1, and the ring finger stays on string 5 at fret n+2. G7 uses frets 3, 5, 3, 4, 3, 3.
Minor 7
Lift both the middle finger and the pinky. Only the ring finger stays on string 5 at fret n+2.
The index finger must press strings 6, 4, 3, 2, and 1 cleanly. Gm7 uses frets 3, 5, 3, 3, 3, 3.
| Version | Fingers that stay on | What changes | Example at fret 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major | middle, ring, pinky | Index presses strings 6, 2, and 1 | G: frets 3, 5, 5, 4, 3, 3 |
| Minor | ring, pinky | Index also presses string 3 | Gm: frets 3, 5, 5, 3, 3, 3 |
| Dominant 7 | middle, ring | Index also presses string 4 | G7: frets 3, 5, 3, 4, 3, 3 |
| Minor 7 | ring | Index presses every string except string 5 | Gm7: frets 3, 5, 3, 3, 3, 3 |
Partial E shapes
Strings 6 to 4
Playing strings 6 to 4 gives the root, perfect 5th, and root. This is a power chord. G5 uses frets 3, 5, 5 on those strings.
This partial E shape suits rock rhythm parts. Mute strings 3 to 1 so they do not ring when you strum.
Strings 4 to 1
Keep string 4 at fret n+2, string 3 at fret n+1, and strings 2 and 1 at fret n. A small F chord on strings 4 to 1 uses frets 3, 2, 1, 1.
This partial E shape is a common first step toward the full F chord. Press strings 2 and 1 with a short barre at fret 1.
Strings 3 to 1
Keep string 3 at fret n+1 and strings 2 and 1 at fret n. These notes are the major 3rd, perfect 5th, and root.
For F major, play frets 2, 1, 1 on strings 3 to 1. This is a triad, a chord with 3 different notes, and it works for rhythm parts and fills.
| Partial E shape | Strings | What it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Power chord | strings 6 to 4 | rock rhythm |
| Small F | strings 4 to 1 | preparing for the full F chord |
| Triad | strings 3 to 1 | rhythm parts and fills |
A practice routine
Start at fret 5 or fret 7, then move toward fret 1
The frets are narrower at fret 5 and fret 7 than at fret 1. The strings also resist fretting more near the nut, so F major at fret 1 usually takes more effort.
Try it now. Spend 2 minutes building A major with the barre at fret 5. Place the index first, check strings 6, 2, and 1, then add the other fingers.
Short moves first
Move between open E and F major at fret 1. Then practice 2-fret slides from G at fret 3 to A at fret 5, and from A at fret 5 to B at fret 7.
Release most of the pressure while sliding, then press when you land. Play each string separately after every move.
Major to minor in place
Choose one fret and alternate between the major and minor versions of the E shape. Lift the middle finger for minor, then replace it for major without moving the barre.
Keep the same pulse as you change. Stop and reset the hand if any string stops ringing cleanly.
Where the E shape fits in CAGED
For the same chord, the G shape sits at lower frets and the D shape sits at higher frets. For C major, the G shape covers frets 5 to 8. The E shape uses a barre at fret 8 and covers frets 8 to 10. The D shape at higher frets uses its root on string 4 at fret 10.
These CAGED shapes share notes. The E shape roots at fret 8 on strings 6 and 1 are the G shape roots at its higher frets. The E shape root on string 4 at fret 10 is the root used to build the D shape.
Around fret 10 and higher frets, the E shape can feel cramped because 3 fingers fit within a 2-fret space. The A shape of the same chord sits 5 frets lower and may fit the hand more comfortably. For D major, the E shape has its barre at fret 10, and the A shape has its barre at fret 5. You can also compare the G shape, C shape, and CAGED overview.
In Guitamania, go to the chord library and open the C major chord. Go to the CAGED system view and tap E to see the E shape at frets 8 to 10.