4. The 7 Key Chords - E String

The E String

• This is the E string of a guitar with all the notes labeled.

The C Major Scale

• This is the C major scale on a piano with all seven notes labeled.

The C Major Scale on the E String

• This is the C major scale on the E string of a guitar.

Major Chords

• Highlight notes one, four and five in red because these are the notes that correspond with major chords.

• This is the E string major chord shape.

C Major Chord

• Find the root note C on the E string, then use the E string major chord shape to play the C major chord.

F Major Chord

• Find the root note F on the E string, then use the E string major chord shape to play the F major chord.

G Major Chord

• Find the root note G on the E string, then use the E string major chord shape to play the G major chord.

Use Major Chords

• Now, let's use all three of the major chords we've learned to play a section of "What I Like About You" by The Romantics.

Strumming pattern:

C G C F C G C F

What I like about you, you hold me tight

Minor Chords

• Highlight notes 2, 3 and 6 in blue because these are the notes that correspond with minor chords.

• This is the E string minor chord shape.

D Minor Chord

• Find the root note D on the E string, then use the E string minor chord shape to play the D minor chord.

E Minor Chord

• Find the root note E on the E string, then use the E string minor chord shape to play the E minor chord.

• On a guitar fretboard the same notes repeat an octave higher when you go 12 frets to the right.
• Play the E minor chord an octave higher.

A Minor Chord

• Find the root note A on the E string, then use the E string minor chord shape to play the A minor chord.

Use Major + Minor Chords

• Now, let's use the minor chords we've learned in addition to the major chords to play a section of "Let it Be" by the Beatles.

C G Am F

When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me

Diminished Chord

• Highlight the note 7 because this note corresponds with the diminished chord.

• This is the E string diminished chord shape.

B Diminished Chord

• Find the root note B on the E string, then use the E string diminished chord shape to play the B diminished chord.

Use Major + Minor + Diminished Chords

• Now, let's use the diminished chord we've learned in addition to the major and minor chords to play a section of "This Love" by Maroon 5.

Em Am

I was so high I did not recognize

Dm Bdim

the fire burning in her eyes, the chaos that controlled my mind

Use the 7 Key Chords on the E String to Create

• Use the 7 key chords on the E string to create a four-chord progression. For example, you can modify the 1-6-4-5 progression by swapping out a chord to build a new progression.

Test

• Play the 7 key chords in the key of C on the E string

Context

• 12 NOTES ➜ CIRCLE OF FIFTHS ➜ PENTATONIC SCALE ➜ MAJOR SCALE ➜ 7 KEY CHORDS ➜ KEY ➜ PLAY THE 7 KEY CHORDS

Summary

• There are three types of key chords: major, minor, and diminished.
• Each of these three chords follows an E string shape.
• By memorizing these three shapes, you can play all seven key chords on the E string.
• Later, I'll show you how to play these seven key chords in all 12 keys.
  • 3 Chord Shapes → 7 Key Chords × 12 Keys = 84 Chords

Goal Achieved: the 7 Key Chords on the E String

Character of the 7 Key Chords

• The 7 key chords are essential in music because they each serve a distinct purpose in songwriting.
• Below is a table that explains the character of each chord:

Use Chord Character Table

• Play 1-6-4-5, 2-5-1-1, and 1-3-7-5 on the E string, then compare them with the Chord Character Table.
• You'll hear that each chord matches the description in the table.

Use Chord Character Table to Create

• Think of a message you want to convey through music.
• Using the Chord Character Table, create a four-chord progression that reflects that message—without even picking up your guitar.
• Next, play your progression on the guitar and listen to how it captures the mood.
• These are basic chord progressions, serving as a foundation—not perfect, but enough to express the general emotion of your message.
• In music, you start with a foundational progression and refine it through small adjustments to achieve the perfect sound.
• Later in this course, I’ll teach you how to fine-tune these 7 key chords to shape your sound and communicate your emotions more effectively.

Test

• Using the Chord Character Table, predict how these progressions will sound:
  • 1-4-5
  • 1-6-3-2
  • 1-3-7-5
• Now, play 1-4-5, 1-6-3-2, and 1-2-7-5 to verify your predictions.

Context

12 NOTES ➜ CIRCLE OF FIFTHS ➜ PENTATONIC SCALE ➜ MAJOR SCALE ➜ 7 KEY CHORDS ➜ KEY ➜ PLAY THE 7 KEY CHORDS ➜ CHARACTER OF THE 7 KEY CHORDS

Summary

• The 7 key chords each have a distinct character.
• Memorizing their qualities is essential because they form the foundation of all the chords in your favorite songs.
• Basic songwriting:
  • Step 1: Write a basic chord progression using these 7 key chords
  • Step 2: Make small adjustments until it perfectly conveys your message.

Goal Achieved: You now know the Character of the 7 Key Chords.