F/E on guitar: F with E in the bass
F/E is F with E in the bass. That E is the chord's 7th, so what you hear is F7M in 3rd inversion (F7M/E), with the notes F, A, C, E.
- Notes
- FACE
- Bass
- E 7th of the chord · F7M
How to play F/E on guitar
-
Shape 1 · 1st position · barre
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Shape 2 · fret 5
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Shape 3 · fret 7 · barre
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Shape 4 · fret 2
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Shape 5 · fret 10 · barre
Where F/E shows up
The 7th in the bass wants to step down. The most common path: F → F/E → Dm, with the bass walking down F, E, D.
Other positions of F
Frequently asked questions
What does F/E mean?
F/E reads "F over E": you play F and the lowest note is E. In a chord symbol, whatever comes after the slash is always the bass.
What is the difference between F/E and F?
F/E has one more note: E in the bass, which is the 7th. That is why it sounds like F7M in 3rd inversion.
How do you play F/E on guitar?
The shapes on this page go from easiest to hardest. In all of them E is the lowest note; the low strings that would sound below it are not played (x).