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C major 7th chord on ukulele (Cmaj7)
Also called or written Cmaj7 or CM7
C major 7th is built from C, E, G, and B. This 5th-fret grip is a full barre-free stretch, but the open Cmaj7/G inversion offers an easier starting point.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, 5, 7
How do you play a C major 7th chord on ukulele?
C major 7th is played at the 5th fret as 5 7 7 7: index finger on the G string at fret 5, middle finger on the C string at fret 7, ring finger on the E string at fret 7 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 7.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5 | 1 | C (1) |
| 3 (C) | 7 | 2 | G (5) |
| 2 (E) | 7 | 3 | B (7) |
| 1 (A) | 7 | 4 | E (3) |
AdvancedThe pinky must reach fret 7 on the A string while the index holds fret 5 on the G string, stretching the hand across four frets.
Open
C major 7th is played in open position as 0 0 0 2: index finger on the A string at fret 2. The G, C and E strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | open | — | G (5) |
| 3 (C) | open | — | C (1) |
| 2 (E) | open | — | E (3) |
| 1 (A) | 2 | 1 | B (7) |
Cmaj7/E inversion
C major 7th is played at the 3rd fret as 4 4 3 3: ring finger on the G string at fret 4, pinky finger on the C string at fret 4, index finger on the E string at fret 3 and middle finger on the A string at fret 3.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4 | 3 | B (7) |
| 3 (C) | 4 | 4 | E (3) |
| 2 (E) | 3 | 1 | G (5) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 2 | C (1) |
Why it sounds like that
C major 7th stacks a major 3rd, perfect 5th, and major 7th above C. The major 7th interval is what separates it from C major, which stops at the perfect 5th.
What goes wrong with C major 7th?
- The pinky flattens onto the E string, muting it.
- The middle finger crowds the ring finger, causing a buzz on the C string.
- The index finger presses too lightly, making the G string sound weak.
When to use it
C major 7th works as the I chord in C major, such as C–F–G–C (I–IV–V–I). It also fits the I–V–vi–IV progression C–G–A minor–F. Use it for folk, pop, or jazz tunes that need a gentle, resolved major sound.
Changing to and from C major 7th
- Sliding the shape down two frets to the 3rd fret gives B♭ major 7th.
- From C major, lift the pinky and add the middle and ring fingers on fret 7 for C major 7th.
Which voicing to use
The 5th fret voicing puts C in the bass for a root-position sound. The Cmaj7/G inversion at frets 0-0-0-2 places the 5th in the bass, giving a lighter, more open feel.
Other C chords
Common questions
Why does my C major 7th buzz on the G string?
The index finger may be too far from the fret or not pressing firmly enough. Place it just behind the 5th fret and use the fingertip, not the pad.
Is the Cmaj7/G inversion easier to play?
Yes, it uses open strings and only one fretted note on the A string at fret 2. However, it has G in the bass, so it sounds less grounded than the root position.
Can I use C major 7th in place of C major?
Yes, but the added major 7th (B) creates a more complex, jazzy color. Use it when you want a softer, more reflective sound than the plain major triad.