Piano chord
Amaj7A major seventh
- A1
- C♯3
- E5
- G♯7
- Notes
- 4
- Positions
- 4
- Span
- 11semitones
- Fingers
- 1-2-3-5
How to play Amaj7 on piano
- Find A: it is the root and the lowest note of the chord in root position.
- Right hand: 1 on A, 2 on C♯, 3 on E, 5 on G♯.
- Or with the left hand: 5 on A, 3 on C♯, 2 on E, 1 on G♯.
- Press the keys together, with curved fingers and a loose wrist, and let them ring.
Root position · A – C♯ – E – G♯
1st inversion · C♯ – E – G♯ – A
2nd inversion · E – G♯ – A – C♯
3rd inversion · G♯ – A – C♯ – E
Numbers on the keys are fingers: 1 thumb, 2 index, 3 middle, 4 ring, 5 little finger.
Amaj7 inversions
Amaj7 can be played in 4 positions. In root position A is at the bottom; each inversion moves the lowest note up an octave, so another chord tone becomes the bass.
- Root positionbass: ARight hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
- 1st inversionbass: C♯Right hand 1-2-4-5 · Left hand 5-4-2-1
- 2nd inversionbass: ERight hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
- 3rd inversionbass: G♯Right hand 1-2-4-5 · Left hand 5-4-2-1
Chords that go with Amaj7
The other chords of A major, the key where Amaj7 is home (Imaj7). Songs in this key move between them.
Amaj7 with two hands
A full sound: the left hand plays A an octave lower, the right hand plays A–C♯–E–G♯.
Amaj7 on other instruments
About the Amaj7 chord
A major seventh has 4 notes: A (1), C♯ (3), E (5), G♯ (7). A major seventh: a major triad with the natural seventh, one semitone below the octave. It sounds smooth and dreamy, common in jazz, soul and bossa nova.
On the keyboard, start from A and add the other notes above it: A – C♯ – E – G♯. From the lowest to the highest key that is 11 semitones. That is less than an octave, so Amaj7 sits comfortably under one hand.
Each inversion of Amaj7 puts a different note in the bass. In the 1st inversion the bass is C♯ (C♯–E–G♯–A). In the 2nd inversion the bass is E (E–G♯–A–C♯). In the 3rd inversion the bass is G♯ (G♯–A–C♯–E).
Amaj7 is A with one note added: G♯.
Keys that contain Amaj7: A major (Imaj7), E major (IVmaj7), F sharp minor (IIImaj7), C sharp minor (VImaj7).
Questions
What notes are in the Amaj7 chord?
Amaj7 (A major seventh) has 4 notes: A (1), C♯ (3), E (5), G♯ (7).
How many inversions does Amaj7 have?
Amaj7 can be played in 4 positions: Root position (A–C♯–E–G♯); 1st inversion (C♯–E–G♯–A); 2nd inversion (E–G♯–A–C♯); 3rd inversion (G♯–A–C♯–E).
What is the difference between Amaj7 and A?
Amaj7 is A with one note added: G♯.
Can I play Amaj7 with one hand?
Yes. In root position Amaj7 spans 11 semitones, less than an octave, so one hand holds it easily.