Piano chord
Cmaj7C major seventh
- C1
- E3
- G5
- B7
- Notes
- 4
- Positions
- 4
- Span
- 11semitones
- Fingers
- 1-2-3-5
How to play Cmaj7 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.
Cmaj7 inversions
Use these 4 positions to move between chords with as little hand movement as possible. Root position starts on C; the inversions start on the other notes of the chord.
- Root positionbass: CRight hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
- 1st inversionbass: ERight hand 1-2-4-5 · Left hand 5-4-2-1
- 2nd inversionbass: GRight hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
- 3rd inversionbass: BRight hand 1-2-4-5 · Left hand 5-4-2-1
Chords that go with Cmaj7
The other chords of C major, the key where Cmaj7 is home (Imaj7). Songs in this key move between them.
Cmaj7 with two hands
A full sound: the left hand plays C an octave lower, the right hand plays C–E–G–B.
Cmaj7 on other instruments
About the Cmaj7 chord
To build C major seventh, take these 4 notes from the root up: 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 Cmaj7, so it works in either hand.
In the inversions of Cmaj7 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).
Compared with C, Cmaj7 has one more note, B.
You meet Cmaj7 in these keys: C major (Imaj7), G major (IVmaj7), A minor (IIImaj7), E minor (VImaj7).
Questions
What notes are in the Cmaj7 chord?
Cmaj7 (C major seventh) has 4 notes: C (1), E (3), G (5), B (7).
How many inversions does Cmaj7 have?
Cmaj7 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 Cmaj7 and C?
Compared with C, Cmaj7 has one more note, B.
Can I play Cmaj7 with one hand?
Yes. In root position Cmaj7 spans 11 semitones, less than an octave, so one hand holds it easily.