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Chord a Day, January 26th - Emaj7
Learn a new chord everyday of January.

Category: Chords Instrument: Ukulele Subjects(s): Chords

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Chord a Day, January 26th - Emaj7

Learn a new Ukulele chord every day of the year. The chord for January 26th is Emaj7.

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Root Position Emaj7

Chord a Day, January 26th - Emaj7 Lesson Video

Harmonic Function for Emaj7

The Harmonic Function of a chord is simply how is a chord being used, in context with other chords in a song or chord progression. Here are the most common harmonic functions for today's chord.

Emaj7 is a Full Diatonic , primary chord in the common Major key(s) of: E and A

Emaj7 is a Full Diatonic primary chord in the common Minor key(s) of: C# (III) G# (VI) and

Harmonic Analysis, Scales and Modes

All harmonic and scale analysis utilizes Roman Numerals related to its major or parallel major scale (I II II IV V VII VII, the 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 of the major scale). Technically, the modes are the same or can use a number relative to its parallel major scale. You will see the latter more than the former.

Open Position Chords

Today's chord, Emaj7 is an Open Position chord.

Open Position Chords are any chord in the first four frets that include at least one open string.

Core 4-part, a.k.a. Jazz Chords

Today's chord, Emaj7 is one of, or based on one of, the Big Six Core Jazz chords for creating your 4-part, contemporary chord foundation and Life Beyond the Third Fret.

Learn a New Chord Each Day!!!

This Learn a New Chord Each Day!!! series of lessons was created and published in 2013 (12 yrs ago) and has been added to an expanded ever since. 2020 brought videos to the show. 2023 brought bringing more Harmonic information.

For a further exploration of this chord and its movable forms visit the Movable Ukulele Chords Lesson Series page.

To find out even more than you would ever need to know about a Emaj7 chord — continue reading .

Chord Type(s): Major 4-part

Chord Categories: Open Position Big Six

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Related Lesson: Understanding a Chord Diagram

Open Position chords typically do not show the location of the root or letter name of the chord, as these chords are the first chords a ukulele player learns. They are almost entirely learned by shape and sound–hopefully, the chord names. Later on, one develops the ability to determine the location of the chord root(s) or letter name within the chord.

Standard Music Notation and TAB

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Standard music notation and TAB for C Tuning, Low and High G variations

The same numbering notation of TAB can be used to describe the open strings and frets to be played when using text only notation or verbal communications. Using an open position C as an example, we can describe it as 0003 indicating open strings four, three, and two with fret (3) being fingered on string one. An open position D7 indicated as 2020.

As you can see that are numerous ways to describe a chord, either verbally, Standard Music Notation , TAB , in text, graphically using a Chord Grid , etc.

Derived From

Today's chord, Emaj7 is a derived chord from E . Take any chord progression with E in it and explore substituting Emaj7 for E.

View the E chord a day page...

Chord Spelling

Chord Spelling is simply knowing what the notes, the chord tones of a chord are.

The notes of all chords can be determined from its corresponding major scale based on the root of the chord and numeric formula.

The notes for Emaj7 are:

E G# B D#

The chord tones are the 1 3 5 7 scale degrees of the parent E Major Scale .

Recommended Fingering

LH_fingersAlthough additional fingerings are possible for many chords, fingering for any given chord depends on the science of how our fingers work and on the harmonic context the chord is being used in—what was the previous chord, and what's the next chord? The goal is to play all the notes right behind the frets when possible. Remember, longer fingers can reach the lower strings better, and finger two and stack on finger three, and finger three can stack on finger four.

Although you can play any chord with any finger as long as it's yours, the recommended fingering for Emaj7 is:

Recommended Fingering
1 3 0 2

Alternate Fingering(s)

Here are a few alternate fingerings for today’s Emaj7 chord depending on the context the chord is being used.

Alternate fingering(s) for Emaj7:

  • 2 4 0 3 - This frees up finger to transpose Emat to different keys along the fingerboard.

Fingering Notation

Fingering notation for a chord using text only, without using a chord grid, is typically done using the finger numbers from left to right, string four to string one (nose to toes). Here is the text notation for January 1st C chord.

A Typical text representation of a chord fingering without using a chord grid.

Note: A Zero (0) fingering notation represents an open string that doesn't require using a finger.

Fingering Chords

Additional alternate fingerings might be possible for selected chords. If there isn't an overwhelming musical reason for one fingering over another, let efficiency be the determining factor. Something as simple as longer fingers that can reach the lower strings four and three goes a long way to being efficient when switching chords.

Factors such as playing notes right behind the fret take less effort than in the middle of the fret. Less effort leads to overall efficiency in play; lower maintenance for maintaining your technique and efficiency leads to speed. This can help in determining what finger to use. Finger three can overlap finger four, and finger two can overlap finger three a little, allowing them to get closer to the fret.

Remember, the thumb's primary role is to support the fingers–not play notes. Think of the thumb as a Stagehand. He is unseen, doesn't get any lines, but is a critical member of the team.

Chord Construction, Notes and Intervals

All chords can be constructed based on their intervals relative to the major scale of the root or letter name of the chord. The individual names of the notes of the chord can also be determined from the same scale.

The chord tones for Emaj7 are: E G# B D#

Emaj7 is the 1 3 5 7 of the E Major Scale based on the root (E) of the chord.

Major Seventh Chords, maj7

A major 7 chord is created by raising the flat seven of a seventh chord one fret.

A major 7 can also be created from a major triad by lowering the root one fret.

Next Steps

After memorizing todays Emaj7 chord and able to switch in time with other chords. The next step is adding various Strums , Fingerpicking patterns, and exploring the Movable Chord versions of today's chord, to your ukulele skills.


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End of Lesson - Thanks, Hope You Enjoyed It!

Related Lessons, Videos, Lesson Series, Songs, Books & Reference Charts, Resources & Assets, Workshops are below.

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The Harmonized Major and Minor Scale Charts

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