Piano chord
Gmaj7G major seventh
- G1
- B3
- D5
- F♯7
- Notes
- 4
- Positions
- 4
- Span
- 11semitones
- Fingers
- 1-2-3-5
How to play Gmaj7 on piano
- Find G: it is the root and the lowest note of the chord in root position.
- Right hand: 1 on G, 2 on B, 3 on D, 5 on F♯.
- Or with the left hand: 5 on G, 3 on B, 2 on D, 1 on F♯.
- Press the keys together, with curved fingers and a loose wrist, and let them ring.
Root position · G – B – D – F♯
1st inversion · B – D – F♯ – G
2nd inversion · D – F♯ – G – B
3rd inversion · F♯ – G – B – D
Numbers on the keys are fingers: 1 thumb, 2 index, 3 middle, 4 ring, 5 little finger.
Gmaj7 inversions
Gmaj7 can be played in 4 positions. In root position G is at the bottom; each inversion moves the lowest note up an octave, so another chord tone becomes the bass.
- Root positionbass: GRight hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
- 1st inversionbass: BRight hand 1-2-4-5 · Left hand 5-4-2-1
- 2nd inversionbass: DRight hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
- 3rd inversionbass: F♯Right hand 1-2-4-5 · Left hand 5-4-2-1
Chords that go with Gmaj7
The other chords of G major, the key where Gmaj7 is home (Imaj7). Songs in this key move between them.
Gmaj7 with two hands
A full sound: the left hand plays G an octave lower, the right hand plays G–B–D–F♯.
Gmaj7 on other instruments
About the Gmaj7 chord
G major seventh has 4 notes: G (1), B (3), D (5), F♯ (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 G and add the other notes above it: G – B – D – F♯. From the lowest to the highest key that is 11 semitones. That is less than an octave, so Gmaj7 sits comfortably under one hand.
Each inversion of Gmaj7 puts a different note in the bass. In the 1st inversion the bass is B (B–D–F♯–G). In the 2nd inversion the bass is D (D–F♯–G–B). In the 3rd inversion the bass is F♯ (F♯–G–B–D).
Gmaj7 is G with one note added: F♯.
Keys that contain Gmaj7: G major (Imaj7), D major (IVmaj7), E minor (IIImaj7), B minor (VImaj7).
Questions
What notes are in the Gmaj7 chord?
Gmaj7 (G major seventh) has 4 notes: G (1), B (3), D (5), F♯ (7).
How many inversions does Gmaj7 have?
Gmaj7 can be played in 4 positions: Root position (G–B–D–F♯); 1st inversion (B–D–F♯–G); 2nd inversion (D–F♯–G–B); 3rd inversion (F♯–G–B–D).
What is the difference between Gmaj7 and G?
Gmaj7 is G with one note added: F♯.
Can I play Gmaj7 with one hand?
Yes. In root position Gmaj7 spans 11 semitones, less than an octave, so one hand holds it easily.