E/D# on guitar: E with D sharp in the bass
E/D# is E with D♯ in the bass. That D♯ is the chord's 7th, so what you hear is E7M in 3rd inversion (E7M/D♯), with the notes E, G♯, B, D♯.
- Notes
- EG♯BD♯
- Bass
- D♯ 7th of the chord · E7M
How to play E/D# on guitar
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Shape 1 · 1st position
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Shape 2 · fret 4
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Shape 3 · fret 6 · barre
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Shape 4 · fret 9 · barre
Where E/D# shows up
The 7th in the bass wants to step down. The most common path: E → E/D# → C#m, with the bass walking down E, D♯, C♯.
Other positions of E
Frequently asked questions
What does E/D# mean?
E/D# reads "E over D♯": you play E and the lowest note is D♯. In a chord symbol, whatever comes after the slash is always the bass.
What is the difference between E/D# and E?
E/D# has one more note: D♯ in the bass, which is the 7th. That is why it sounds like E7M in 3rd inversion.
How do you play E/D# on guitar?
The shapes on this page go from easiest to hardest. In all of them D♯ is the lowest note; the low strings that would sound below it are not played (x).