C major 7th · Guitar
Cmaj7 Chord on Guitar
The Cmaj7 chord (C major 7th) is built from the notes C, E, G and B. 2 different guitar fingerings for it are shown below.
Chord diagrams
Fingering
- string 6 (E): muted
- string 5 (A): fret 3 — ring finger
- string 4 (D): fret 2 — middle finger
- string 3 (G): played open
- string 2 (B): played open
- string 1 (E): played open
Fingering
- string 6 (E): muted
- string 5 (A): muted
- string 4 (D): fret 10 — little finger
- string 3 (G): fret 9 — ring finger
- string 2 (B): fret 8 — middle finger
- string 1 (E): fret 7 — index finger
Notes in this chord
- C
- E
- G
- B
Degrees: 1 – 3 – 5 – 7
How to play
Cmaj7 can be played with open strings on guitar, which makes it an accessible shape for beginners. Strings marked ○ ring open, while strings marked ✕ are muted.
Theory behind the chord
Major seventh chords keep the bright major triad but add the leading tone a semitone below the root. The result is the soft, floating sound heard throughout bossa nova, soul and neo-soul. On Cmaj7 this structure sits on the root C, so the degrees 1 – 3 – 5 – 7 map onto C, E, G and B.
Frequently asked questions
- Which notes are in the Cmaj7 chord?
- Cmaj7 contains the notes C, E, G and B. Relative to the root these are the degrees 1 – 3 – 5 – 7.
- How many ways can you play Cmaj7?
- Minory lists 2 guitar fingerings for Cmaj7. They all produce the same chord — what changes is the voicing and where it sits on the neck.
- Is the Cmaj7 chord hard to play?
- Not really. The open position of Cmaj7 uses open strings and needs no barre, which makes it approachable for beginners.
Practise Cmaj7 on your phone
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