Piano chord
Fmaj7F major seventh
- F1
- A3
- C5
- E7
- Notes
- 4
- Positions
- 4
- Span
- 11semitones
- Fingers
- 1-2-3-5
How to play Fmaj7 on piano
- Find F: it is the root and the lowest note of the chord in root position.
- Right hand: 1 on F, 2 on A, 3 on C, 5 on E.
- Or with the left hand: 5 on F, 3 on A, 2 on C, 1 on E.
- Press the keys together, with curved fingers and a loose wrist, and let them ring.
Root position · F – A – C – E
1st inversion · A – C – E – F
2nd inversion · C – E – F – A
3rd inversion · E – F – A – C
Numbers on the keys are fingers: 1 thumb, 2 index, 3 middle, 4 ring, 5 little finger.
Fmaj7 inversions
Use these 4 positions to move between chords with as little hand movement as possible. Root position starts on F; the inversions start on the other notes of the chord.
- Root positionbass: FRight hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
- 1st inversionbass: ARight hand 1-2-4-5 · Left hand 5-4-2-1
- 2nd inversionbass: CRight hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
- 3rd inversionbass: ERight hand 1-2-4-5 · Left hand 5-4-2-1
Chords that go with Fmaj7
The other chords of F major, the key where Fmaj7 is home (Imaj7). Songs in this key move between them.
Fmaj7 with two hands
A full sound: the left hand plays F an octave lower, the right hand plays F–A–C–E.
Fmaj7 on other instruments
About the Fmaj7 chord
To build F major seventh, take these 4 notes from the root up: F (1), A (3), C (5), E (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 F – A – C – E, counted up from F; the distance from the lowest to the highest key is 11 semitones. Any hand that reaches an octave can hold Fmaj7, so it works in either hand.
In the inversions of Fmaj7 the root moves up and another note takes the bass. In the 1st inversion the bass is A (A–C–E–F). In the 2nd inversion the bass is C (C–E–F–A). In the 3rd inversion the bass is E (E–F–A–C).
Compared with F, Fmaj7 has one more note, E.
You meet Fmaj7 in these keys: C major (IVmaj7), F major (Imaj7), A minor (VImaj7), D minor (IIImaj7).
Questions
What notes are in the Fmaj7 chord?
Fmaj7 (F major seventh) has 4 notes: F (1), A (3), C (5), E (7).
How many inversions does Fmaj7 have?
Fmaj7 can be played in 4 positions: Root position (F–A–C–E); 1st inversion (A–C–E–F); 2nd inversion (C–E–F–A); 3rd inversion (E–F–A–C).
What is the difference between Fmaj7 and F?
Compared with F, Fmaj7 has one more note, E.
Can I play Fmaj7 with one hand?
Yes. In root position Fmaj7 spans 11 semitones, less than an octave, so one hand holds it easily.