Major seventh chord (maj7) on electric guitar
Cmaj7 is the major seventh chord: C, E, G and B (1–3–5–7). On electric guitar, the diagram shape is x 3 2 0 0 0, with C in the bass.
On the electric guitar a chord needs only a few clear notes — the amp sustains them and fills the space, so you mute the strings you are not playing and let the tone carry the rest. In this Cmaj7 voicing the bass is C and the shape runs from fret 2 to 3, ringing 3 open strings. Plugged into an amp, each chord sustains for as long as you hold it, and the tone — clean or driven — shapes the whole sound.
Cmaj7 on electric guitar: shapes and notes →
Notes and formula of Cmaj7
Notes in Cmaj7: C – E – G – BFormula: 1 – 3 – 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.
Where to use it
A sophisticated tonic or subdominant in bossa, jazz and MPB.
See also
Part of the Sevenths family.