The C major 7 chord (Cmaj7) is made of the notes C, E, G and B. It is built from the root C with a major third, a perfect fifth and a major seventh.
The major seventh chord has a soft, dreamy sound, widely used in jazz, bossa nova and pop.
C major 7
Notes: C – E – G – B
Guitar — positions on the neck
Piano — root position and inversions
Fingerings and positions
On guitar, this chord can be played in 6 ways along the neck. The lowest shape is an open chord (no barre), easier for beginners. Example fingering (from the low E string to the high E string, x = muted string): x32000. On piano, the right hand plays 4 notes, in root position or in an inversion.
Notes and intervals
Note
Interval
C
root
E
major third
G
perfect fifth
B
major seventh
In which keys? The C major 7 chord is the Imaj7 of C major, the IVmaj7 of G major, the VImaj7 of E minor and the IIImaj7 of A minor.
The notes of the C major 7 chord (Cmaj7) are C, E, G and B.
How do you play the C major 7 chord on guitar?
On guitar, this chord can be played in 6 ways along the neck. The lowest shape is an open chord (no barre), easier for beginners. Example fingering (from the low E string to the high E string, x = muted string): x32000.
How is the C major 7 chord built?
The C major 7 chord (Cmaj7) is made of the notes C, E, G and B. It is built from the root C with a major third, a perfect fifth and a major seventh.