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C minor major 7th chord on bass (CmMaj7)
Also called or written CmMaj7, Cminmaj7, Cmmaj7, CmM7, C Minor Sharp 7 or C Minor ♯7
C minor major 7th is built from C, E♭, G and B. The 8th-fret shape demands a wide pinky stretch, so it is not a first chord.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 5, 7
How do you play a C minor major 7th chord on bass?
C minor major 7th is played at the 8th fret as 8 10 9 8: index finger on the E string at fret 8, pinky finger on the A string at fret 10, ring finger on the D string at fret 9 and middle finger on the G string at fret 8.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 8 | 1 | C (1) |
| 3 (A) | 10 | 4 | G (5) |
| 2 (D) | 9 | 3 | B (7) |
| 1 (G) | 8 | 2 | E♭ (♭3) |
AdvancedThe pinky must reach the 10th fret on the A string while the index holds the 8th fret on the E string.
Cminmaj7/B inversion
C minor major 7th is played at the 5th fret as 7 6 5 5: pinky finger on the E string at fret 7, ring finger on the A string at fret 6, 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 | 4 | B (7) |
| 3 (A) | 6 | 3 | E♭ (♭3) |
| 2 (D) | 5 | 1 | G (5) |
| 1 (G) | 5 | 2 | C (1) |
Why it sounds like that
C minor major 7th is built from the formula 1, ♭3, 5, 7. The ♭3 gives it the minor quality, while the major 7th adds a sharp, tense edge. Compare with C minor, which stops at the ♭7.
What goes wrong with C minor major 7th?
- Letting the pinky collapse so the 10th fret on the A string buzzes.
- Arching the middle finger onto the D string, deadening the 9th fret.
- Rushing the stretch so the index finger slides sharp from the 8th fret.
When to use it
C minor major 7th works as a passing chord in minor keys, often between C minor and D minor 7th flat 5th. It suits jazz ballads and film-noir textures where the major 7th adds a bittersweet lift.
Changing to and from C minor major 7th
- Sliding the shape down two frets to the 6th fret gives B♭ minor major 7th.
- Sliding the shape up one fret to the 9th fret gives C♯ minor major 7th.
Which voicing to use
The 8th-fret voicing puts C in the bass for a clear root position. The B inversion at the 7th fret places the major 7th in the bass, creating a darker, more unstable sound.
Other C chords
Common questions
How is C minor major 7th written?
C minor major 7th is written Cmmaj7, mmaj7, mM7 or Cminmaj7. It is also called Minor Sharp 7 or Minor ♯7.
What is the difference between C minor major 7th and C minor 7th?
C minor major 7th has a major 7th (B), while C minor 7th has a minor 7th (B♭). The major 7th creates a sharper, more dissonant sound.
Can C minor major 7th be used as a tonic chord?
Yes, in C harmonic minor or C melodic minor, C minor major 7th is the tonic chord. It provides a strong sense of resolution with a distinctive color.