G major seventh chord (Gmaj7)
The G major seventh chord (Gmaj7) is a major seventh chord: a major triad with a major seventh on top, G, B, D and F♯ (root, major third, perfect fifth and major seventh).
It is the Imaj7 in G major and the IVmaj7 in D major; its relative is E minor seventh, and D dominant seventh leads into it as its V7.
Below: voicings, notes on the fretboard, ukulele, piano, inversions and progressions.
How to play G 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: 3-2-0-0-0-2, open position, with G in the bass (fingers 3-1-0-0-0-2).
- Voicing 2: 3-5-4-4-3-3, movable E-shape barre chord at fret 3, with G in the bass.
- Voicing 3: x-10-12-11-12-10, movable A-shape barre chord at fret 10, with G in the bass.
Notes of the G major seventh chord on the fretboard
G major seventh has 4 notes: G, B, D and F♯. This is where they fall on each string, from the nut to the 12th fret (fret number in parentheses):
- String 6 (E): F♯ (2) · G (3) · B (7) · D (10)
- String 5 (A): B (2) · D (5) · F♯ (9) · G (10)
- String 4 (D): D (0) · F♯ (4) · G (5) · B (9) · D (12)
- String 3 (G): G (0) · B (4) · D (7) · F♯ (11) · G (12)
- String 2 (B): B (0) · D (3) · F♯ (7) · G (8) · B (12)
- String 1 (E): F♯ (2) · G (3) · B (7) · D (10)
Formula and intervals of G major seventh
Its formula is 1-3-5-7; in semitones from the root, 0-4-7-11.
- G: Root, the note that gives the chord its name
- B: Major third (M3), 4 semitones above G
- D: Perfect fifth (P5), 7 semitones above G
- F♯: Major seventh (M7), 11 semitones above G
G major seventh on ukulele
- Ukulele (G C E A): 0-2-2-2; it sounds G, D, F♯ and B.
G major seventh on piano
- Keys: G4, B4, D5 and F♯5.
Inversions of G major seventh
Each inversion puts a different note in the bass.
- Root position: G, B, D and F♯, with G in the bass.
- First inversion (Gmaj7/B): B, D, F♯ and G, with B in the bass.
- Second inversion (Gmaj7/D): D, F♯, G and B, with D in the bass.
- Third inversion (Gmaj7/F♯): F♯, G, B and D, with F♯ in the bass.
Keys that use G major seventh
G major seventh appears in 4 major and minor keys.
| Key | Degree | Function |
|---|---|---|
| G major (1 sharp) | Imaj7 | Tonic |
| D major (2 sharps) | IVmaj7 | Subdominant |
| E minor (1 sharp) | IIImaj7 | Mediant |
| B minor (2 sharps) | VImaj7 | Submediant |
Progressions with G major seventh
- Jazz ii–V–I in G major (ii7–V7–Imaj7): Am7 – D7 – Gmaj7
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the G major seventh chord?
G, B, D and F♯: root, major third, perfect fifth and major seventh. Its formula is 1-3-5-7.
Which keys use G major seventh?
Mainly as the Imaj7 in G major and the IVmaj7 in D major. In total it appears in 4 major and minor keys.
What is the difference between G major seventh and a dominant seventh chord?
The seventh: in G major seventh (G, B, D and F♯) it is major, a half step below the octave, while in a dominant seventh it is minor. That is why G major seventh sounds stable, like a chord of rest, and a dominant seventh wants to resolve.