Cmaj7 (C major seventh) is built from 4 notes: C, E, G, B.
- Croot
- Emajor third
- Gperfect fifth
- Bmajor seventh
Formula: 1, 3, 5, 7
How to play Cmaj7 on guitar
x 3 2 0 0 0x 3 5 4 5 38 x 9 9 8 xRead the diagrams with the low E string on the left. × means do not play that string, ○ means play it open.
How to play Cmaj7 on piano
Play C, E, G, B together. With your right hand, use fingers 1, 2, 3 and 5 (thumb on C). Your left hand can play C an octave lower for a fuller sound.
Where Cmaj7 is used
Cmaj7 is the one chord (Imaj7) in the key of C major and the four chord (IVmaj7) in the key of G major. Take C and add one note, B, which sits a half step below the root. That close pair of notes gives the chord its soft, open sound, and you hear it a lot in jazz, soul, R&B and lo-fi.
Progressions with Cmaj7
Do not mix it up with C7. That chord has a flat seventh and sounds tense. Cmaj7 has the major seventh and sounds settled.
Related chords
Change this chord into another key with the Chord Transposer, or look up any other chord or scale in the Chord and Scale Finder.