Tools / Chords / C major 7th

C major 7th chord on bass (Cmaj7)

Also written Cmaj7 or CM7

C major 7th contains C, E, G, and B. The 8th-fret shape requires a wide stretch from the index to the pinky.

8th fret8-10-9-9

Positions on the neck1 of 3

How it’s built

C1Root

E3Major 3rd

G5Perfect 5th

B7Major 7th

Formula 1, 3, 5, 7

Positions on the neck1 of 3

Inversions

The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.

Root positionC–E–G–BCmaj7Bass C

First inversionE–G–B–CCmaj7/EBass E

Second inversionG–B–C–ECmaj7/GBass G

Third inversionB–C–E–GCmaj7/BBass B

Why it sounds like that

C major 7th is built from the 1, 3, 5, and 7 of the C major scale. The major 7th interval from C to B gives the chord its smooth, resolved character. Compare it to C major, which lacks the B and sounds more plain.

What goes wrong with C major 7th?

Letting the pinky flatten and mute the 2nd string.
Allowing the index finger to slide toward the 7th fret.
Plucking the 4th string too hard and drowning the higher notes.

When to use it

C major 7th is the I chord in C major, heard in C–F–G–C, the I–IV–V–I. It suits jazz, bossa nova, and mellow pop. Use it over C major or C 5th.

Changing to and from C major 7th

Sliding the shape down one fret to the 7th fret gives B major 7th.
From C major 7th, move the pinky from the 3rd string 10th fret to the 2nd string 9th fret to play C major.

Which voicing to use

The 8th-fret shape keeps C in the bass for a grounded sound. The Cmaj7/G inversion at the 3rd fret puts G in the bass, softening the chord. The Cmaj7/B inversion at the 7th fret has the leading tone B in the bass, creating tension that resolves to C.

How do you play a C major 7th chord on bass?

8th fret

Intermediate● On the diagram

C major 7th is played at the 8th fret as 8 10 9 9: index finger on the E string at fret 8, pinky finger on the A string at fret 10, middle finger on the D string at fret 9 and ring finger on the G string at fret 9.

Tip — The pinky must reach the 10th fret on the 3rd string while the index stays at the 8th fret, creating a wide span.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (E)	8	1	C (1)
3 (A)	10	4	G (5)
2 (D)	9	2	B (7)
1 (G)	9	3	E (3)

Cmaj7/G inversion

Intermediate

C major 7th is played at the 2nd fret as 3 3 2 4: middle finger on the E string at fret 3, ring finger on the A string at fret 3, index finger on the D string at fret 2 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 4.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (E)	3	2	G (5)
3 (A)	3	3	C (1)
2 (D)	2	1	E (3)
1 (G)	4	4	B (7)

Cmaj7/B inversion

Barre

C major 7th is played at the 5th fret as 7 7 5 5: barre your index finger across fret 5, middle finger on the E string at fret 7 and ring finger on the A string at fret 7.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (E)	7	2	B (7)
3 (A)	7	3	E (3)
2 (D)	5	1 (barre)	G (5)
1 (G)	5	1 (barre)	C (1)

Common questions

How is C major 7th written?

C major 7th is written CM7 or Cmaj7.

What mistake do bassists make with C major 7th?

Bassists often let the pinky collapse and buzz the 3rd string. Keep the pinky curved and press just behind the fret.

How does C major 7th sound in a higher register?

Playing C major 7th at the 12th fret gives a brighter, more bell-like tone. The same notes ring out with less low-end weight.

Why is C major 7th sometimes confused with C major?

C major 7th adds the B, the major 7th, to the C major triad. That extra note creates a dreamier, more resolved sound than C major.

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (E)

C (1)

3 (A)

G (5)

2 (D)

B (7)

1 (G)

E (3)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (E)

G (5)

3 (A)

C (1)

2 (D)

E (3)

1 (G)

B (7)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (E)

B (7)

3 (A)

E (3)

2 (D)

1 (barre)

G (5)

1 (G)

1 (barre)

C (1)