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Fmaj7(Major 7th Chord)

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

Notes
F – A – C – E
Intervals (semitones)
0 – 4 – 7 – 11
Type
7th Chord

🎹 Fmaj7 on Piano

Press highlighted keys simultaneously to play the Fmaj7 chord.

R
F(Root (R))
2
A(Major 3rd)
3
C(Perfect 5th)
4
E(Major 7th)

🎸 Fmaj7 on Guitar

The Fmaj7 chord uses notes F, A, C, E. 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 F
RootRoot (R)0F
3rdMajor 3rd4A
5thPerfect 5th7C
7thMajor 7th11E

About the F Major 7th Chord

The Fmaj7 chord (F Major 7th) consists of 4 notes: F, A, C, E. 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 F: the notes land on F, A, C, E.

Playing Fmaj7 on Piano

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

Common Chord Progressions Using Fmaj7

  • I–IV–V: Fmaj7 – A#maj7 – Cmaj7 (blues and rock)
  • I–V–vi–IV: Fmaj7 – C – Dm – A# (pop staple)
  • I–vi–IV–V: Fmaj7 – Dm – A# – C (50s progression)

The Fmaj7 Chord in Context

As a major 7th chord, Fmaj7 is the tonic (I) in the key of F major. It also appears as the IV chord in C major, and as the V chord in A# major — making it one of the most important chords across all of Western music.

Other F Chords

F
Major
Fm
Minor
F7
Dominant 7th
Fm7
Minor 7th
Fdim
Diminished
Faug
Augmented

Major 7th Chord in All 12 Keys

Cmaj7C#maj7Dmaj7D#maj7Emaj7Fmaj7F#maj7Gmaj7G#maj7Amaj7A#maj7Bmaj7
🎹 Virtual Piano
Play Fmaj7 on piano
🎸 Virtual Guitar
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🎵 F Scale
Notes that fit Fmaj7
🎶 Songs
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FAQ

Fmaj7 Chord — Frequently Asked Questions

What notes are in the Fmaj7 chord?
The F Major 7th chord contains: F, A, C, E. These notes are derived by applying the major 7th interval formula (0–4–7–11 semitones) to the root note F.
What is the Fmaj7 chord used for?
A major triad with a major seventh. Warm, sophisticated sound used in jazz and R&B. The Fmaj7 chord is used across pop, rock, jazz, and classical music. As the I chord in the key of F major, it functions as the most stable resting point in progressions.
How do you play Fmaj7 on piano?
On piano, play F, A, C, E simultaneously. In root position, F is the lowest note. Inversions move the bass note up — first inversion has A lowest, second inversion has C lowest.
How many notes are in a major 7th chord?
A major 7th chord has 4 notes: F, A, C, E (in F). It is a 7th chord, extending beyond the basic triad.
What is the difference between F major and F minor?
The F major chord (F–A–C) uses a major third (4 semitones), giving it a bright, happy sound. The F minor chord (F–G#–C) uses a minor third (3 semitones), giving it a darker, emotional sound.
What key does Fmaj7 belong to?
Fmaj7 naturally serves as the I chord in the key of F major. It also appears as IV in the key of C major, and as V in the key of A# major.
Can I play Fmaj7 on ukulele?
Yes. The ukulele uses GCEA tuning with 4 strings. The Fmaj7 chord notes (F, A, C, E) 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 Fmaj7?
In the key of F major, Fmaj7 pairs naturally with A# major (IV), C major (V), and Dm (vi). The classic I–IV–V (Fmaj7–A#–C) is the foundation of blues, country, and rock.
What is a chord inversion of Fmaj7?
An inversion places a non-root note in the bass. Fmaj7 root position: F in bass. First inversion: A in bass. Second inversion: C 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 Fmaj7: start on F, add 4 semitones, then 7 semitones, then 11 semitones. Practicing this across all 12 roots builds instant recognition of any major 7th chord.