Also written AmMaj7, Aminmaj7 or Ammaj7
A minor major 7th contains A, C, E, and G♯. The open C-string inversion needs only one fretted note, but the wide stretch to the high G♯ keeps it advanced.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
A minor major 7th is built from the formula 1, ♭3, 5, 7. The minor 3rd between A and C gives the minor quality, while the major 7th G♯ adds the leading tone. Compare it to A minor, which drops the G♯.
A minor major 7th fits A minor and A 5th chords, and suits jazz, spy themes, and tense ballads.
The C inversion at the 1st fret is the easiest, with only one fretted note. The E inversions at the 2nd and 4th frets put the fifth in the bass for a different color.
A minor major 7th is played in open position as 1 0 0 0: index finger on the G string at fret 1. The C, E and A strings ring open.
Tip — The index finger must fret the G string cleanly at the 1st fret while the other three strings stay open.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1 | 1 | G♯ (7) |
| 3 (C) | open | — | C (♭3) |
| 2 (E) | open | — | E (5) |
| 1 (A) | open | — | A (1) |
A minor major 7th is played at the 2nd fret as 2 4 4 3: index finger on the G string at fret 2, ring finger on the C string at fret 4, pinky finger on the E string at fret 4 and middle finger on the A string at fret 3.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2 | 1 | A (1) |
| 3 (C) | 4 | 3 | E (5) |
| 2 (E) | 4 | 4 | G♯ (7) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 2 | C (♭3) |
A minor major 7th is played in open position as 5 4 4 0: ring finger on the G string at fret 5, index finger on the C string at fret 4 and middle finger on the E string at fret 4. The A string rings open.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5 | 3 | C (♭3) |
| 3 (C) | 4 | 1 | E (5) |
| 2 (E) | 4 | 2 | G♯ (7) |
| 1 (A) | open | — | A (1) |
A minor major 7th is written Ammaj7, Aminmaj7, or mM7. It is also called Minor Sharp 7 or Minor ♯7.
A minor major 7th adds the major 7th G♯ to the A minor triad. A minor contains only A, C, and E.
The major 7th G♯ is a leading tone that wants to resolve up to A. The minor 3rd C creates a dark color, but the G♯ adds an unresolved pull.