Piano chords · Major 7th chord
Cmaj7 piano chord (C major seventh)
Cmaj7 is a major seventh chord with 4 notes. It sounds soft, dreamy and a little jazzy. Here's how to find it, play it and hear it.
C – E – G – B · tap any key to hear it
The notes of Cmaj7
Cmaj7 is built from 4 notes (1 – 3 – 5 – 7):
- C, the root
- E, the major third
- G, the fifth
- B, the major seventh
Every note is a white key, which makes Cmaj7 an easy chord to find and play.
Fingering
- Right hand: 1 on C, 2 on E, 3 on G, 5 on B.
- Left hand: 5 on C, 3 on E, 2 on G, 1 on B.
Press every key at exactly the same moment, with the same weight. If one note sounds louder or a fraction late, the chord sounds uneven: play it slowly and listen for one sound.
Inversions
An inversion is the same notes in a different order, with a different note at the bottom. Inversions let you move between chords without jumping around the keyboard.
| Position | Notes, bottom to top |
|---|---|
| Root position | C – E – G – B |
| 1st inversion | E – G – B – C |
| 2nd inversion | G – B – C – E |
| 3rd inversion | B – C – E – G |
Where Cmaj7 belongs
Cmaj7 is the Imaj7 chord in C major and the IVmaj7 chord in G major. It's everywhere in jazz, soul, bossa nova and gentle pop.
Cmaj7 is C with a major seventh, B, added: just a half step below the root, which gives it its dreamy rub. C7 has a minor seventh (B♭) instead, and sounds bluesier.
Hear it in a progression
Cmaj7 – Am7 – Dm7 – G7: Imaj7 – vi7 – ii7 – V7, a smooth jazz and soul turnaround.
Playing it, but it doesn't sound right? Ivory listens to you play and tells you what's off: a note that's missing, a hand that lands late, a chord that's uneven. Then it shows you how it should go.
Questions people ask
What notes are in the Cmaj7 chord?
Cmaj7 (C major seventh) is made of C, E, G and B: the root, major third, fifth and major seventh.
How do you play Cmaj7 on piano?
With your right hand, use fingers 1 on C, 2 on E, 3 on G, 5 on B, and press them together. With your left hand: 5 on C, 3 on E, 2 on G, 1 on B.
How is Cmaj7 different from the plain chord?
Cmaj7 is C with a major seventh, B, added: just a half step below the root, which gives it its dreamy rub. C7 has a minor seventh (B♭) instead, and sounds bluesier.