Shape characteristics
Open chord
Uses one or more open strings, giving the chord a bright, resonant ring and making it easier to hold for long passages.
Mid-neck · fret 5-7
Balanced tone, with neither the ringing openness of first position nor the bright snap of the upper register. Common choice for rhythm work when you want a fuller, more compact sound.
Full six-string voicing
All six strings ring, giving you the biggest, most resonant version of this chord, ideal for strumming and solo acoustic contexts.
Bass: A · Top: E
An extended chord tone is in the bass, giving the voicing a distinctive colour beyond the standard inversions.
Shape 556700 is the closest alternative voicing. Try both to see which fits better.
How to play this shape
- 1 Place the 1st finger on the 5th fret of the 6th string
- 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 6th fret of the 4th string
- 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 7th fret of the 3rd string
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "506700" mean?
The sequence 506700 is a highly compact guitar chord notation. It represents the fret played on each of the 6 strings, reading left-to-right from the thickest (lowest pitch) string to the thinnest (highest pitch) string: E, A, D, G, B, e.
- x means the string is muted or skipped entirely.
- 0 means the string is played "open" (without pressing over a fret).
- 1-9 represent standard fret numbers 1 to 9.
- a, b, c... represent frets 10, 11, 12, and higher (where a=10, b=11, c=12).
Can I play this E7(add11)/A shape anywhere else?
Yes! This specific layout is just one way to voice a E7(add11)/A chord. You can find all other variations in our chord shape library for E7(add11)/A. Most guitarists choose different shapes based on whether they want a "brighter" or "deeper" sound, or which chord they are transitioning from.
How do I stop my fingers from buzzing?
Since this shape uses open strings (marked with '0'), make sure your fingers are arched like a "claw" so they don't accidentally brush against the open strings. Press down firmly just behind the metal fret wires for the clearest sound.
Other shapes
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