Major seventh chord: formula, notes and sound
A major 7th chord is a major triad plus a major seventh (0-4-7-11). Hear its soft, dreamy colour, see it on every root, and tell it from C7.
A major seventh chord is a major triad plus a major seventh: root, major third, perfect fifth and major seventh (0, 4, 7, 11 semitones). Cmaj7 is C, E, G and B. It sounds soft, warm and dreamy, a staple of jazz, bossa nova and mellow pop.
Listen to Cmaj7
C E G B
What is the formula of a major 7th chord?
| Chord tone | Interval from the root | Semitones | In C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Root | root | 0 | C |
| Third | major third | 4 | E |
| Fifth | perfect fifth | 7 | G |
| Seventh | major seventh | 11 | B |
Formula: 0-4-7-11 semitones. Written Cmaj7, CM7, CΔ7.
What does a major 7th chord sound like?
Lush and gentle, with a slight shimmer from the seventh sitting a half step under the octave.
How to recognise it by ear
- Listen for the top note rubbing against the octave of the root: that half-step glow is the major seventh.
- In a major key, the chords on degrees 1 and 4 are major sevenths: Cmaj7 and Fmaj7 in C.
- Do not confuse with C7 (dominant): Cmaj7 has B, C7 has B flat.
Quick test: is it a major 7th chord?
Four chords on different roots. Each is a major 7th chord or a chord it is often confused with.
Score: / 4 (your score updates as you answer)
Major 7th chords on all 12 roots
Spelled by letter from the formula, so thirds are always a letter apart (E♭, not D♯, in C minor).
| Chord | Notes | Hear it |
|---|---|---|
| Cmaj7 | C E G B | |
| D♭maj7 | D♭ F A♭ C | |
| Dmaj7 | D F♯ A C♯ | |
| E♭maj7 | E♭ G B♭ D | |
| Emaj7 | E G♯ B D♯ | |
| Fmaj7 | F A C E | |
| F♯maj7 | F♯ A♯ C♯ E♯ | |
| Gmaj7 | G B D F♯ | |
| A♭maj7 | A♭ C E♭ G | |
| Amaj7 | A C♯ E G♯ | |
| B♭maj7 | B♭ D F A | |
| Bmaj7 | B D♯ F♯ A♯ |
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in a major seventh chord?
1, 3, 5, 7. Cmaj7 is C E G B, Fmaj7 is F A C E, Gmaj7 is G B D F sharp.
How is a major seventh chord written?
Cmaj7, CM7 or CΔ7 (a triangle). "C7" alone means the dominant seventh, a different chord.
What is the difference between a major seventh and a dominant seventh chord?
The seventh is a semitone higher in the major seventh chord (11 semitones above the root) than in the dominant seventh (10 semitones).
What does a major seventh chord sound like?
Soft, dreamy and settled: it can end a song in jazz or bossa nova, unlike the dominant seventh.