How to play the E major over B chord on guitar

The E chord, pronounced "E major over B," is a versatile guitar chord that adds depth and complexity to progressions. Notable for its rich, full sound, the E/B chord is commonly used in genres like rock, folk, and country. It can be heard in popular songs such as "Hey Jude" by The Beatles and "Wonderwall" by Oasis, adding a distinctive flavor to the harmony.

The E major over B chord is typically played as a barre chord on the 7th fret of the guitar.

Follow these finger positions to play a E major over B chord on your guitar:

1. Place your index finger across all six strings at the 7th fret, forming a barre.
2. Place your ring finger on the 9th fret of the 5th (A) string.
3. Place your pinky finger on the 9th fret of the 4th (D) string.
4. Place your middle finger on the 8th fret of the 3rd (G) string.

To strum this chord, use a downward stroke starting from the 6th (low E) string, ensuring all notes ring out clearly.

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the E major over B chord, try playing an E major chord in the first position (open position) and adding your pinky finger on the 4th fret of the 2nd (B) string. This creates a simpler E/B chord without using a barre.

The E major over B barre chord is a great way to add variety and a fuller sound to your guitar playing. It's a movable chord shape that can be played up and down the fretboard.

Here's how to play an E major over B barre chord:

1. Place your index finger across all six strings at the 7th fret, creating a barre.
2. Place your ring finger on the 9th fret of the 5th (A) string.
3. Place your pinky finger on the 9th fret of the 4th (D) string.
4. Place your middle finger on the 8th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
5. Strum from the 6th (low E) string down to the 1st (high E) string.

The E major over B chord (E/B) is often used to create a sense of tension and resolution in a chord progression, evoking feelings of yearning, hope, or anticipation. Here are some common chord progressions featuring the E/B chord:

• I - V/vi - vi - IV (E - E/B - C#m - A) - Used in "Let It Be" by The Beatles and "Hey Jude" by The Beatles
• I - V/vi - vi - V (E - E/B - C#m - B) - Used in "Just the Way You Are" by Billy Joel and "I Want to Hold Your Hand" by The Beatles
• I - V/vi - IV - V (E - E/B - A - B)
• I - V/vi - ii - V (E - E/B - F#m - B)
• I - V/vi - iii - vi (E - E/B - G#m - C#m)

To master the E major over B guitar chord, try this simple drill: play each note of the chord individually, focusing on clarity and tone. Start with the B note, then move to E, and finally G#. Repeat this pattern slowly, gradually increasing your speed until you can play the notes smoothly and evenly.

Another effective drill is to practice transitioning between the E major over B chord and other chords in the key of E. Start with simple progressions like E over B to A, and work your way up to more complex sequences.

Here are 10 popular songs you can play with the E major over B chord:

1. Don't Stop Believin' by Journey (E, B, C#m, A)
2. Hey Jude by The Beatles (E, B, C#m, A)
3. Let It Be by The Beatles (E, B, C#m, A)
4. Free Fallin' by Tom Petty (E, B, C#m, A)
5. Wonderwall by Oasis (E, B, C#m, A)
6. Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton (E, B, C#m, A)
7. More Than Words by Extreme (E, B, C#m, A)
8. Knockin' on Heaven's Door by Bob Dylan (E, B, C#m, A)
9. The Joker by Steve Miller Band (E, B, C#m, A)
10. Closing Time by Semisonic (E, B, C#m, A)