Also written EmMaj7, Eminmaj7 or Emmaj7
E minor major 7th is built from E, G, B and D♯. The open shape is the easiest voicing, but the major 7th still gives it an advanced sound.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
E 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 E minor, which stops at the ♭7.
E minor major 7th works as a passing chord in minor keys, often between E minor and F♯ minor 7th flat 5th. It suits jazz ballads and film-noir textures where the major 7th adds a bittersweet lift.
The open voicing puts E in the bass for a clear root position. The D♯ inversion at the 11th fret places the major 7th in the bass, creating a darker, more unstable sound.
E minor major 7th is played in open position as 0 2 1 0: middle finger on the A string at fret 2 and index finger on the D string at fret 1. The E and G strings ring open.
Tip — The index finger must fret the D string cleanly while arching over the open G string.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | open | — | E (1) |
| 3 (A) | 2 | 2 | B (5) |
| 2 (D) | 1 | 1 | D♯ (7) |
| 1 (G) | open | — | G (♭3) |
E minor major 7th is played at the 12th fret as 12 14 13 12: index finger on the E string at fret 12, pinky finger on the A string at fret 14, ring finger on the D string at fret 13 and middle finger on the G string at fret 12.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 12 | 1 | E (1) |
| 3 (A) | 14 | 4 | B (5) |
| 2 (D) | 13 | 3 | D♯ (7) |
| 1 (G) | 12 | 2 | G (♭3) |
E minor major 7th is played at the 9th fret as 11 10 9 9: barre your index finger across fret 9, ring finger on the E string at fret 11 and middle finger on the A string at fret 10.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 11 | 3 | D♯ (7) |
| 3 (A) | 10 | 2 | G (♭3) |
| 2 (D) | 9 | 1 (barre) | B (5) |
| 1 (G) | 9 | 1 (barre) | E (1) |
E minor major 7th is written Emmaj7, mmaj7, mM7 or Eminmaj7. It is also called Minor Sharp 7 or Minor ♯7.
E minor major 7th has a major 7th (D♯), while E minor 7th has a minor 7th (D). The major 7th creates a sharper, more dissonant sound.
Yes, in E harmonic minor or E melodic minor, E minor major 7th is the tonic chord. It provides a strong sense of resolution with a distinctive color.