E/G# on guitar: E with G sharp in the bass
E/G# is the E major chord (E, G♯, B) with its 3rd, G♯, as the lowest note: the 1st inversion of E. The notes are the same as in E; only the one at the bottom changes.
- Notes
- EG♯B
- Bass
- G♯ 3rd of the chord
How to play E/G# on guitar
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Shape 1 · 1st position
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Shape 2 · fret 2
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Shape 3 · fret 4
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Shape 4 · fret 6
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Shape 5 · fret 9 · barre
Where E/G# shows up
With the 3rd in the bass, the bass line can move by step. The classic case: A → E/G# → F#m, with the bass walking down A, G♯, F♯.
Other positions of E
Frequently asked questions
What does E/G# mean?
E/G# reads "E over G♯": you play E and the lowest note is G♯. In a chord symbol, whatever comes after the slash is always the bass.
What is the difference between E/G# and E?
The notes are the same (E, G♯, B); only the lowest one changes. With G♯ in the bass, E is in 1st inversion, and the bass line can move by step between chords.
How do you play E/G# on guitar?
The shapes on this page go from easiest to hardest. In all of them G♯ is the lowest note; the low strings that would sound below it are not played (x).