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F minor major 7th chord on bass (FmMaj7)
Also called or written FmMaj7, Fminmaj7, Fmmaj7, FmM7, F Minor Sharp 7 or F Minor ♯7
F minor major 7th is built from F, A♭, C and E. The 1st-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 an F minor major 7th chord on bass?
F minor major 7th is played at the 1st fret as 1 3 2 1: index finger on the E string at fret 1, pinky finger on the A string at fret 3, ring finger on the D string at fret 2 and middle finger on the G string at fret 1.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 1 | 1 | F (1) |
| 3 (A) | 3 | 4 | C (5) |
| 2 (D) | 2 | 3 | E (7) |
| 1 (G) | 1 | 2 | A♭ (♭3) |
AdvancedThe pinky must reach the 3rd fret on the A string while the index holds the 1st fret on the E string.
13th fret
F minor major 7th is played at the 13th fret as 13 15 14 13: index finger on the E string at fret 13, pinky finger on the A string at fret 15, ring finger on the D string at fret 14 and middle finger on the G string at fret 13.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 13 | 1 | F (1) |
| 3 (A) | 15 | 4 | C (5) |
| 2 (D) | 14 | 3 | E (7) |
| 1 (G) | 13 | 2 | A♭ (♭3) |
Fminmaj7/E inversion · open position
F minor major 7th is played in open position as 0 3 3 1: middle finger on the A string at fret 3, ring finger on the D string at fret 3 and index finger on the G string at fret 1. The E string rings open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | open | — | E (7) |
| 3 (A) | 3 | 2 | C (5) |
| 2 (D) | 3 | 3 | F (1) |
| 1 (G) | 1 | 1 | A♭ (♭3) |
Fminmaj7/E inversion · fret 10
F minor major 7th is played at the 10th fret as 12 11 10 10: pinky finger on the E string at fret 12, ring finger on the A string at fret 11, index finger on the D string at fret 10 and middle finger on the G string at fret 10.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 12 | 4 | E (7) |
| 3 (A) | 11 | 3 | A♭ (♭3) |
| 2 (D) | 10 | 1 | C (5) |
| 1 (G) | 10 | 2 | F (1) |
Why it sounds like that
F 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 F minor, which stops at the ♭7.
What goes wrong with F minor major 7th?
- Letting the pinky collapse so the 3rd fret on the A string buzzes.
- Arching the middle finger onto the D string, deadening the 2nd fret.
- Rushing the stretch so the index finger slides sharp from the 1st fret.
When to use it
F minor major 7th works as a passing chord in minor keys, often between F minor and G minor 7th flat 5th. It suits jazz ballads and film-noir textures where the major 7th adds a bittersweet lift.
Changing to and from F minor major 7th
- Sliding the shape up one fret to the 2nd fret gives F♯ minor major 7th.
- Sliding the shape up two frets to the 3rd fret gives G minor major 7th.
Which voicing to use
The 1st-fret voicing puts F in the bass for a clear root position. The E inversion at the 0th fret places the major 7th in the bass, creating a darker, more unstable sound.
Other F chords
Common questions
How is F minor major 7th written?
F minor major 7th is written Fmmaj7, mmaj7, mM7 or Fminmaj7. It is also called Minor Sharp 7 or Minor ♯7.
What is the difference between F minor major 7th and F minor 7th?
Its verified note order explains the sound without relying on outside harmony. The major 7th creates a sharper, more dissonant sound.
Can F minor major 7th be used as a tonic chord?
Yes, in F harmonic minor or F melodic minor, F minor major 7th is the tonic chord. It provides a strong sense of resolution with a distinctive color.