Lesson Goals:
♦ Learn the finger positions for the E7
♦ Visualize the difference between the E and E7 chords
♦ Hear the change when going from a major chord to a 7th chord of the same root
Now we will learn the E7 chord. To make an E7 just start with an E major chord and lift off your 3rd finger. You are now playing an E7 chord.
Play the following passage using the E and the E7 chords. The first 3 measures are played with an E chord and the last one changes to E7.
Notice how the subtle change from E to E7 tells your ear to anticipate a new chord change.
It is very important to understand the way 7th chords are used when following a major chord of the same root to signal a change to the next chord in the progression.
You have probably heard this type of chord change a million times, maybe without even realizing it. Now you can be aware of it and use this method in your own playing!
Quite often 7th chords are used following a major chord of the same root as a passing chord to lead us to the next chord of the progression. This is because the sound of a 7th chord, when played immediately following the major chord, tells our ears to expect something new.
