Skip to main content

Cmaj7(Major 7th Chord)

A major triad with a major seventh. Warm, sophisticated sound used in jazz and R&B.

Notes
C – E – G – B
Intervals (semitones)
0 – 4 – 7 – 11
Type
7th Chord

🎹 Cmaj7 on Piano

Press highlighted keys simultaneously to play the Cmaj7 chord.

R
C(Root (R))
2
E(Major 3rd)
3
G(Perfect 5th)
4
B(Major 7th)

🎸 Cmaj7 on Guitar

The Cmaj7 chord uses notes C, E, G, B. Build a voicing by finding these notes on any strings — root on the 6th string is a common starting point for barre chord shapes.

Interval Analysis

DegreeInterval NameSemitonesNote in C
RootRoot (R)0C
3rdMajor 3rd4E
5thPerfect 5th7G
7thMajor 7th11B

About the C Major 7th Chord

The Cmaj7 chord (C Major 7th) consists of 4 notes: C, E, G, B. A major triad with a major seventh. Warm, sophisticated sound used in jazz and R&B.

To build any major 7th chord, apply intervals of 0, 4, 7, 11 semitones above the root. Starting from C: the notes land on C, E, G, B.

Playing Cmaj7 on Piano

Press C, E, G, B simultaneously. In root position, C is lowest. First inversion places E in the bass for a lighter sound; second inversion uses G as the bass note.

Common Chord Progressions Using Cmaj7

  • I–IV–V: Cmaj7 – Fmaj7 – Gmaj7 (blues and rock)
  • I–V–vi–IV: Cmaj7 – G – Am – F (pop staple)
  • I–vi–IV–V: Cmaj7 – Am – F – G (50s progression)

The Cmaj7 Chord in Context

As a major 7th chord, Cmaj7 is the tonic (I) in the key of C major. It also appears as the IV chord in G major, and as the V chord in F major — making it one of the most important chords across all of Western music.

Other C Chords

C
Major
Cm
Minor
C7
Dominant 7th
Cm7
Minor 7th
Cdim
Diminished
Caug
Augmented

Major 7th Chord in All 12 Keys

Cmaj7C#maj7Dmaj7D#maj7Emaj7Fmaj7F#maj7Gmaj7G#maj7Amaj7A#maj7Bmaj7
🎹 Virtual Piano
Play Cmaj7 on piano
🎸 Virtual Guitar
See on the fretboard
🎵 C Scale
Notes that fit Cmaj7
🎶 Songs
Find songs using Cmaj7

FAQ

Cmaj7 Chord — Frequently Asked Questions

What notes are in the Cmaj7 chord?
The C Major 7th chord contains: C, E, G, B. These notes are derived by applying the major 7th interval formula (0–4–7–11 semitones) to the root note C.
What is the Cmaj7 chord used for?
A major triad with a major seventh. Warm, sophisticated sound used in jazz and R&B. The Cmaj7 chord is used across pop, rock, jazz, and classical music. As the I chord in the key of C major, it functions as the most stable resting point in progressions.
How do you play Cmaj7 on piano?
On piano, play C, E, G, B simultaneously. In root position, C is the lowest note. Inversions move the bass note up — first inversion has E lowest, second inversion has G lowest.
How many notes are in a major 7th chord?
A major 7th chord has 4 notes: C, E, G, B (in C). It is a 7th chord, extending beyond the basic triad.
What is the difference between C major and C minor?
The C major chord (C–E–G) uses a major third (4 semitones), giving it a bright, happy sound. The C minor chord (C–D#–G) uses a minor third (3 semitones), giving it a darker, emotional sound.
What key does Cmaj7 belong to?
Cmaj7 naturally serves as the I chord in the key of C major. It also appears as IV in the key of G major, and as V in the key of F major.
Can I play Cmaj7 on ukulele?
Yes. The ukulele uses GCEA tuning with 4 strings. The Cmaj7 chord notes (C, E, G, B) can be fretted on a ukulele, though the shapes differ from guitar due to the 4-string layout and shorter scale.
What chords go well with Cmaj7?
In the key of C major, Cmaj7 pairs naturally with F major (IV), G major (V), and Am (vi). The classic I–IV–V (Cmaj7–F–G) is the foundation of blues, country, and rock.
What is a chord inversion of Cmaj7?
An inversion places a non-root note in the bass. Cmaj7 root position: C in bass. First inversion: E in bass. Second inversion: G in bass. Inversions create smoother bass line movement without changing the harmony.
How do I memorize the notes in a major 7th chord?
Remember the formula: 0–4–7–11 semitones from root. For Cmaj7: start on C, add 4 semitones, then 7 semitones, then 11 semitones. Practicing this across all 12 roots builds instant recognition of any major 7th chord.