Cmaj7 Chord
How to play C major 7th on guitar — warm, dreamy and jazzy — a major chord with a soft top note.
- Notes
- C – E – G – B
- Frets (low → high)
- x 3 2 0 0 0
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Shape
- Movable shape at fret 2
How to play Cmaj7, step by step
- 1Put your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the A string (5th).
- 2Put your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the D string (4th).
- 3Leave the low E string out — mute it with the side of a finger, or just avoid it as you strum.
- 4Let the G, B and high E strings ring open.
- 5Strum slowly and check every string sounds cleanly; if one buzzes, press closer to the fret wire and arch your fingers so they clear the neighbouring strings.
What makes a major seventh chord
Warm, dreamy and jazzy — a major chord with a soft top note.
| Note | Interval | Semitones above C |
|---|---|---|
| C | root | 0 |
| E | major 3rd | 4 |
| G | 5th | 7 |
| B | major 7th | 11 |
Other C chords
Same root, different colour. Swapping one of these into a progression is the quickest way to change its mood without changing the key.
Every major 7th chord
The same shape moved around the neck. If you can play Cmaj7 you are a fret-slide away from all of these.
Frequently asked questions
- What notes are in the Cmaj7 chord?
- Cmaj7 is made of C, E, G, B — the root, major 3rd, 5th, major 7th of C.
- Is Cmaj7 hard to play?
- No — Cmaj7 sits at x 3 2 0 0 0 and is rated beginner, so it is comfortable for most beginners.
Got a chart full of chords like Cmaj7?
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