C major seventh chord (Cmaj7)
The C major seventh chord (Cmaj7) is a major seventh chord: a major triad with a major seventh on top, C, E, G and B (root, major third, perfect fifth and major seventh).
It is the Imaj7 in C major and the IVmaj7 in G major; its relative is A minor seventh, and G dominant seventh leads into it as its V7.
Below: voicings, notes on the fretboard, ukulele, piano, inversions and progressions.
How to play C major seventh on guitar
There are 3 guitar voicings.
Frets from the 6th string to the 1st: x = not played, 0 = open string.
- Voicing 1: x-3-2-0-0-0, open position, with C in the bass (fingers x-3-2-0-0-0).
- Voicing 2: 8-10-9-9-8-8, movable E-shape barre chord at fret 8, with C in the bass.
- Voicing 3: x-3-5-4-5-3, movable A-shape barre chord at fret 3, with C in the bass.
Notes of the C major seventh chord on the fretboard
C major seventh has 4 notes: C, E, G and B. This is where they fall on each string, from the nut to the 12th fret (fret number in parentheses):
- String 6 (E): E (0) · G (3) · B (7) · C (8) · E (12)
- String 5 (A): B (2) · C (3) · E (7) · G (10)
- String 4 (D): E (2) · G (5) · B (9) · C (10)
- String 3 (G): G (0) · B (4) · C (5) · E (9) · G (12)
- String 2 (B): B (0) · C (1) · E (5) · G (8) · B (12)
- String 1 (E): E (0) · G (3) · B (7) · C (8) · E (12)
Formula and intervals of C major seventh
Its formula is 1-3-5-7; in semitones from the root, 0-4-7-11.
- C: Root, the note that gives the chord its name
- E: Major third (M3), 4 semitones above C
- G: Perfect fifth (P5), 7 semitones above C
- B: Major seventh (M7), 11 semitones above C
C major seventh on ukulele
- Ukulele (G C E A): 0-0-0-2; it sounds G, C, E and B.
C major seventh on piano
- Keys: C4, E4, G4 and B4.
Inversions of C major seventh
Each inversion puts a different note in the bass.
- Root position: C, E, G and B, with C in the bass.
- First inversion (Cmaj7/E): E, G, B and C, with E in the bass.
- Second inversion (Cmaj7/G): G, B, C and E, with G in the bass.
- Third inversion (Cmaj7/B): B, C, E and G, with B in the bass.
Keys that use C major seventh
C major seventh appears in 4 major and minor keys.
| Key | Degree | Function |
|---|---|---|
| C major (no sharps or flats) | Imaj7 | Tonic |
| G major (1 sharp) | IVmaj7 | Subdominant |
| A minor (no sharps or flats) | IIImaj7 | Mediant |
| E minor (1 sharp) | VImaj7 | Submediant |
Progressions with C major seventh
- Jazz ii–V–I in C major (ii7–V7–Imaj7): Dm7 – G7 – Cmaj7
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the C major seventh chord?
C, E, G and B: root, major third, perfect fifth and major seventh. Its formula is 1-3-5-7.
Which keys use C major seventh?
Mainly as the Imaj7 in C major and the IVmaj7 in G major. In total it appears in 4 major and minor keys.
What is the difference between C major seventh and a dominant seventh chord?
The seventh: in C major seventh (C, E, G and B) it is major, a half step below the octave, while in a dominant seventh it is minor. That is why C major seventh sounds stable, like a chord of rest, and a dominant seventh wants to resolve.