Piano chord
C♯maj7C sharp major seventh
- C♯1
- E♯3
- G♯5
- B♯7
- Notes
- 4
- Positions
- 4
- Span
- 11semitones
- Fingers
- 1-2-3-5
How to play C♯maj7 on piano
- Find C♯: it is the root and the lowest note of the chord in root position.
- Right hand: 1 on C♯, 2 on E♯, 3 on G♯, 5 on B♯.
- Or with the left hand: 5 on C♯, 3 on E♯, 2 on G♯, 1 on B♯.
- Press the keys together, with curved fingers and a loose wrist, and let them ring.
Root position · C♯ – E♯ – G♯ – B♯
1st inversion · E♯ – G♯ – B♯ – C♯
2nd inversion · G♯ – B♯ – C♯ – E♯
3rd inversion · B♯ – C♯ – E♯ – G♯
Numbers on the keys are fingers: 1 thumb, 2 index, 3 middle, 4 ring, 5 little finger.
C♯maj7 inversions
Here are all 4 positions of C♯maj7. The notes stay the same, only their order changes: root position has C♯ at the bottom, and every inversion starts on the next chord tone.
- Root positionbass: C♯Right hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
- 1st inversionbass: E♯Right hand 1-2-4-5 · Left hand 5-4-2-1
- 2nd inversionbass: G♯Right hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
- 3rd inversionbass: B♯Right hand 1-2-4-5 · Left hand 5-4-2-1
Chords that go with C♯maj7
The other chords of D flat major, the key where C♯maj7 is home (Imaj7). Songs in this key move between them.
C♯maj7 with two hands
A full sound: the left hand plays C♯ an octave lower, the right hand plays C♯–E♯–G♯–B♯.
C♯maj7 on other instruments
About the C♯maj7 chord
The 4 notes of C sharp major seventh are C♯ (1), E♯ (3), G♯ (5), B♯ (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.
The keys are C♯ – E♯ – G♯ – B♯, counted up from C♯; the distance from the lowest to the highest key is 11 semitones. Any hand that reaches an octave can hold C♯maj7, so it works in either hand.
In the inversions of C♯maj7 the root moves up and another note takes the bass. In the 1st inversion the bass is E♯ (E♯–G♯–B♯–C♯). In the 2nd inversion the bass is G♯ (G♯–B♯–C♯–E♯). In the 3rd inversion the bass is B♯ (B♯–C♯–E♯–G♯).
Add B♯ to C♯ and you have C♯maj7.
You meet C♯maj7 in these keys: A flat major (IVmaj7), D flat major (Imaj7), F minor (VImaj7), B flat minor (IIImaj7).
Questions
What notes are in the C♯maj7 chord?
C♯maj7 (C sharp major seventh) has 4 notes: C♯ (1), E♯ (3), G♯ (5), B♯ (7).
How many inversions does C♯maj7 have?
C♯maj7 can be played in 4 positions: Root position (C♯–E♯–G♯–B♯); 1st inversion (E♯–G♯–B♯–C♯); 2nd inversion (G♯–B♯–C♯–E♯); 3rd inversion (B♯–C♯–E♯–G♯).
What is the difference between C♯maj7 and C♯?
Add B♯ to C♯ and you have C♯maj7.
Can I play C♯maj7 with one hand?
Yes. In root position C♯maj7 spans 11 semitones, less than an octave, so one hand holds it easily.