Chord & FretAm(maj7) — minor major seventh
Notes in Am(maj7): A – C – E – G#Formula: 1 – b3 – 5 – 7In the formula, the numbers count steps of the major scale starting from the note that names the chord; "b" lowers a half step, "#" raises one — and a slash names the bass note.
The minor major seventh combines the minor triad with the major seventh. The friction between the minor third and the major seventh creates a dramatic inner tension.
The same chord on all four instruments
Where to use it: This is the classic suspense chord from spy movies — few notes, lots of atmosphere. It also opens the famous inner-voice trick that walks down one half step at a time: AmAmAmAm → AmMaj7 → Am7Am7Am7Am7 → Am6.
The shapes of Am(maj7) don't end on this page — the whole neck holds dozens. In Chord & Fret, you check it note by note, playing any shape as an arpeggio; compare positions with their difficulty marked; and change the tuning — the shape rewrites itself. Start free. Unlock everything with Pro. Plays offline.
See the whole neck in Chord & Fret →Part of the Sevenths family.