Also written Amaj7 or AM7
A major 7th contains A, C♯, E, and G♯. The 5th-fret shape stretches the pinky to the 7th fret, making it a demanding bass chord.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
A major 7th is built from the 1, 3, 5, and 7 of the A major scale. The major 7th interval from A to G♯ gives the chord its luminous, resolved quality. Compare it to A major, which stops at the perfect 5th and sounds more plain.
A major 7th works as the I chord in A major, such as A–D–E–A, the I–IV–V–I. It suits smooth jazz, neo-soul, and ballads where the leading tone G♯ pulls toward A. Use it over A major or A 5th.
The 5th-fret shape puts the root A in the bass for a grounded sound. The Amaj7/E inversion at the 12th fret places E in the bass, softening the chord. The Amaj7/G♯ inversion at the 4th fret has the leading tone G♯ in the bass, creating tension that resolves to A.
A major 7th is played at the 5th fret as 5 7 6 6: index finger on the E string at fret 5, pinky finger on the A string at fret 7, middle finger on the D string at fret 6 and ring finger on the G string at fret 6.
Tip — The pinky must reach the 7th fret on the 3rd string while the other fingers hold the 6th fret, stretching the hand.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 5 | 1 | A (1) |
| 3 (A) | 7 | 4 | E (5) |
| 2 (D) | 6 | 2 | G♯ (7) |
| 1 (G) | 6 | 3 | C♯ (3) |
A major 7th is played at the 11th fret as 12 12 11 13: middle finger on the E string at fret 12, ring finger on the A string at fret 12, index finger on the D string at fret 11 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 13.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 12 | 2 | E (5) |
| 3 (A) | 12 | 3 | A (1) |
| 2 (D) | 11 | 1 | C♯ (3) |
| 1 (G) | 13 | 4 | G♯ (7) |
A major 7th is played at the 2nd fret as 4 4 2 2: barre your index finger across fret 2, middle finger on the E string at fret 4 and ring finger on the A string at fret 4.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 4 | 2 | G♯ (7) |
| 3 (A) | 4 | 3 | C♯ (3) |
| 2 (D) | 2 | 1 (barre) | E (5) |
| 1 (G) | 2 | 1 (barre) | A (1) |
A major 7th is written AM7 or Amaj7.
Bassists often let the pinky flatten on the 3rd string, causing a buzz. Keep the pinky curved and press just behind the fret.
Playing A major 7th at the 12th fret gives a brighter, more bell-like tone. The same notes ring out with less low-end weight.
A major 7th adds the G♯, the major 7th, to the A major triad. That extra note creates a dreamier, more resolved sound than A major.