E/D on guitar: E with D in the bass
E/D is E with D in the bass. That D is the chord's 7th, so what you hear is E7 in 3rd inversion (E7/D), with the notes E, G♯, B, D.
- Notes
- EG♯BD
- Bass
- D 7th of the chord · E7
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 7 · 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 → A/C#, 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 E7 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).