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Cmaj7 Chord

Cmaj7 adds B, a major seventh, to the C major triad. The seventh sits a semitone below the root above it, giving a settled chord a close, unresolved edge.

  • Notes: C-E-G-B
  • Symbol: Cmaj7
  • Imaj7 in C major
  • Major seventh
Switch chordCmaj7

How to play a Cmaj7 chord

Notes: C - E - G - B · symbol Cmaj7

  • Root position

    C - E - G - B
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-3-5 · Left 5-3-2-1

  • 1st inversion

    E - G - B - C
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-3-5 · Left 5-4-2-1

  • 2nd inversion

    G - B - C - E
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-4-5 · Left 5-3-2-1

  • 3rd inversion

    B - C - E - G
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-4-5 · Left 5-3-2-1

Where does Cmaj7 belong?

All four notes come from the C major scale, where Cmaj7 can be the home chord.
Play the role cards to hear how its surrounding chords change the job it does; Diatonic Chords explains the basic numbered roles.

  • In C majorHome, jazz style
    Imaj7

    The end point of a ii-V-I in C: a resting chord with a soft glow.

    Dm7ii7G7V7Cmaj7Imaj7
  • In G majorA dreamy step away
    IVmaj7

    Swaying between Gmaj7 and this chord is a staple of soul and bossa nova.

    Gmaj7Imaj7Cmaj7IVmaj7
  • In E minorMinor-key color
    bVImaj7

    In E minor it brings in warmth before the music turns back home.

    EmiCmaj7bVImaj7DbVIIEmi

Progressions to try

  • Dm7G7Cmaj7

    Cmaj7 is the Imaj7 arrival at the end of a ii-V-I in C major.

  • Gmaj7Cmaj7

    Here Cmaj7 is IVmaj7: a step away from the home chord rather than a final cadence.

  • EmCmaj7DEm

    In E minor, Cmaj7 colors the bVI degree before the phrase returns to minor.

Which shape should you use?

On guitar, start with the open x32000 grip. Let the open strings ring and keep any strings marked x silent. The x35453 shape gives you another position when the neighboring chords sit elsewhere on the neck.

On ukulele, the open shape 0002 is the easiest place to start. The 4433 grip moves the chord to another register.

On piano, play C-E-G-B. Move C up an octave to reach the first inversion, E-G-B-C; the notes remain the same while the lowest voice changes.

What are the inversions?

C is the root, E the major third, G the fifth and B the major seventh, eleven semitones above the root.

  • Root position: C-E-G-B, with C lowest.
  • First inversion: E-G-B-C, written Cmaj7/E if E is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Second inversion: G-B-C-E, written Cmaj7/G if G is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Third inversion: B-C-E-G, written Cmaj7/B if B is lowest in the whole arrangement.

A slash chord names the note in the bass, not merely the lowest note under one hand. Chord Inversions shows how to read that distinction.

How does Cmaj7 differ from C7?

Keep the major triad and lower B to B flat. That makes C7, the dominant-seventh version; the changed seventh is the difference to hear. Try that one-note change on piano, then use the comparer to hear it in the full chord. See C7 for the other chord's full spelling and roles.

  • Cmaj7

    C - E - G - B
    C4C5

    C major 7

  • C7

    C - E - G - Bb
    C4C5

    C dominant 7

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