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C♯ minor major 7th chord on bass (C♯mMaj7)
Also called or written C♯mMaj7, C♯minmaj7, C♯mmaj7, C♯mM7, C♯ Minor Sharp 7 or C♯ Minor ♯7
C♯ minor major 7th contains C♯, E, G♯, and B♯. Its 9th-fret position requires a wide stretch across all four strings.
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 9th fret as 9 11 10 9: index finger on the E string at fret 9, pinky finger on the A string at fret 11, ring finger on the D string at fret 10 and middle finger on the G string at fret 9.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 9 | 1 | C♯ (1) |
| 3 (A) | 11 | 4 | G♯ (5) |
| 2 (D) | 10 | 3 | B♯ (7) |
| 1 (G) | 9 | 2 | E (♭3) |
AdvancedThe pinky must reach the 11th fret on the A string while the index stays at the 9th fret on the E string.
C♯minmaj7/B♯ inversion
C♯ minor major 7th is played at the 6th fret as 8 7 6 6: pinky finger on the E string at fret 8, ring finger on the A string at fret 7, index finger on the D string at fret 6 and middle finger on the G string at fret 6.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 8 | 4 | B♯ (7) |
| 3 (A) | 7 | 3 | E (♭3) |
| 2 (D) | 6 | 1 | G♯ (5) |
| 1 (G) | 6 | 2 | C♯ (1) |
Why it sounds like that
C♯ minor major 7th is built from the formula 1, ♭3, 5, 7. The minor 3rd between C♯ and E gives the chord its minor quality, while the major 7th between C♯ and B♯ adds a leading tone. Contrast this with C♯ minor, which omits the major 7th.
What goes wrong with C♯ minor major 7th?
- Letting the pinky buzz on the A string at the 11th fret.
- Flattening the ring finger and deadening the D string at the 10th fret.
When to use it
Use C♯ minor major 7th in jazz or fusion lines where the major 7th adds tension. Pair it with C♯ minor or C♯ 5th for contrast.
Changing to and from C♯ minor major 7th
- Sliding the shape down one fret to the 8th fret gives C minor major 7th.
- Sliding the shape up one fret to the 10th fret gives D minor major 7th.
Which voicing to use
The 9th fret position keeps C♯ in the bass for a grounded sound. The C♯minmaj7/B♯ inversion places B♯ in the bass, creating a smoother voice leading into chords like C♯ minor.
Other C♯ chords
Common questions
How is C♯ minor major 7th written?
C♯ minor major 7th is written as C♯mmaj7, mmaj7, mM7, or C♯minmaj7. The root can be typed as C#. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
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 leading tone that pulls strongly to the root.
Why does C♯ minor major 7th sound dissonant?
The minor 3rd (E) and major 7th (B♯) form an augmented 5th interval, which is unstable. This tension is characteristic of the minor major 7th chord.
Can I play C♯ minor major 7th in a lower register?
Yes, the C♯minmaj7/B♯ inversion at the 6th fret places the major 7th in the bass. This voicing is useful for connecting to chords with B♯ in the bass.