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C major 7th chord on bass (Cmaj7)
Also called or 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.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, 5, 7
How do you play a C major 7th chord on bass?
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.
Full note and interval 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) |
AdvancedThe pinky must reach the 10th fret on the 3rd string while the index stays at the 8th fret, creating a wide span.
Cmaj7/G inversion
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.
Full note and interval 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
C major 7th is played at the 5th fret as 7 7 5 5: ring finger on the E string at fret 7, pinky finger on the A string at fret 7, index finger on the D string at fret 5 and middle finger on the G string at fret 5.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7 | 3 | B (7) |
| 3 (A) | 7 | 4 | E (3) |
| 2 (D) | 5 | 1 | G (5) |
| 1 (G) | 5 | 2 | C (1) |
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.
Other C chords
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.