E Major vs. A Major: Which Guitar Chord is Easier to Play?

I remember the first two chords I learned on the guitar were E major and A major. I thought they were about the same, with A maybe being slightly harder. In a jam with a drummer, we tried playing a simple I-bVII progression, moving from E to A.

For years, I recorded our impromptu sessions on a reel-to-reel recorder, around 11 or 12 years ago. The drummer added a pleasing touch to our primitive jam sessions in certain spots. This experience taught me that whether E major or A major is easier to play depends on the context and your playing style.

Factors Influencing Chord Difficulty

The ease or difficulty of playing chords isn’t solely about the chord itself; it’s about how you use it within a broader musical context. You rarely just play a single chord. Instead, you change from one chord to another and back again, sometimes rapidly. This is where your skill level and familiarity with the guitar come into play.

Barre Chords on the 12th Fret

Both E and A major can be played as barre chords on the 12th fret. Here’s how:

E major: Play using the E form barre chord (seventh fret) or use the A form barre chord (17th fret). A major: Play using the A form barre chord (fifth fret) or use the E form barre chord (19th fret).

Open Chords and Complexity

When you look at open chords, it’s easier to see the differences. Here’s a breakdown:

Open E Major Chord

Playing an open E major is quite straightforward. You place your index finger on the first fret of the third string, your middle finger on the second fret of the fifth string, and your ring finger on the second fret of the fourth string. This is pretty easy.

Open A Major Chord

Playing an open A major can be done in three ways:

Most Difficult Way: Place your index finger on the fourth string, second fret; your middle finger on the third string, second fret; and your ring finger on the second string, second fret. This method can be quite challenging due to crowded fingers. Preferred Way: Place your middle finger on the fourth string, second fret; your index finger on the third string, second fret; and your ring finger on the second string, second fret. This position allows for easier changes to E major and D major. You can simply slide your index finger to the first fret for E major and keep your middle and ring fingers in place for D major. Barre Chord Position: Barre the 4–3–2 strings on the second fret using your index finger and mute the first string. You can also add the G note on the first string to play A7. This method is useful when playing A with other barre chords and works well in blues music. It also helps when you’re adding melody notes and need to free up your fingers.

Conclusion

Whether E major or A major is easier to play depends on your playing style and context. Both chords have their own unique challenges and opportunities. Experimenting with different techniques and positions will help you find the most comfortable and effective way to play these chords. Happy jamming!