The E major chord is one of the most common chords played on the guitar. It is often played in open position (pictured left). Countless songs incorporate the E chord including "Melissa" by The Allman Brothers, "Santeria" by Sublime, and "Lean on Me" by Bill Withers.

The E chord is comprised of the following notes in the key of E major: E (root), G# (3rd) and B (5th).

Step 1: Learn the Shape of the Chord - The E major chord in open position (meaning it's played at the base of the guitar neck) uses all six strings and three fingers. Refer to the first picture on the left (chord shape). Study this picture and try to replicate these shapes with your fingers before even playing the chord on guitar.

Step 2: Apply this Shape to the Guitar - Now that you've practiced forming this shape with your fingers, apply the shape to the fretboard with your first finger (see left):

• 6th string is open
• 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 5th string
• 3rd finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string
• 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 3rd string
  
• 2nd string is open
• 1st string is open

Step 3: Strum the Chord - Strum the chord out clearly. Adjust your fingers accordingly so that there are no muffled notes or buzzing sounds. Be sure to hit each finger on the frets at a right angle to get the cleanest sound out of the E chord. Alternate between using your fingers and barring the chord. Make sure each form sounds crystal clear.

Step 1: Learn the Shape of the Chord - The common E major bar chord uses the higher five strings and only two fingers. Refer to the picture on the left. Study this picture and try to replicate this shape with your fingers before even playing the chord on guitar.

Step 2: Apply this Shape to the Guitar - Now that you've practiced forming this shape with your fingers apply it to the fretboard like this:

• 6th string isn't played
• 5th string is barred with 1st finger on the 7th fret
• 4th string is barred with 3rd finger on the 9th fret
  
• 3rd string is barred with 3rd finger on the 9th fret
  
• 2nd string is barred with 3rd finger on the 9th fret
  
• 1st string is barred with 1st finger on the 7th fret

Step 3: Strum the Chord - Strum the chord out clearly. Adjust your fingers accordingly so that there are no muffled notes or buzzing sounds. Be sure to hit each finger on the frets at a right angle to get the cleanest sound out of the E chord.

Here are 2 other voicings of the E chord that you can play in other positions on the guitar neck:

This is an E chord that starts on the 4th fret:

This is an E bar chord that starts on the 12th fret: