Also written Cmaj7 or CM7
C major 7th contains C, E, G, and B. The open 0-0-0-2 grip is the easiest shape, but it requires a clean fretted note on the A string.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
C major 7th is built from the 1, 3, 5, and 7 of the C major scale. The major 7th interval between C and B gives the chord its smooth, jazzy character. Compare it with C major, which lacks the B and sounds more straightforward.
C major 7th is the I chord in C major, so it works in progressions like C–F–G–C (I–IV–V–I). Use it for jazz standards, bossa nova, and gentle pop.
The open 0-0-0-2 shape has C in the bass, giving a root-position sound that is full and resonant. For a higher voicing with E in the bass, use the 4-4-3-3 shape.
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.
Tip — The hardest part is fretting the A string cleanly while keeping the three open strings ringing.
| 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) |
C major 7th is played at the 3rd fret as 4 4 3 3: barre your index finger across fret 3, middle finger on the G string at fret 4 and ring finger on the C string at fret 4.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4 | 2 | B (7) |
| 3 (C) | 4 | 3 | E (3) |
| 2 (E) | 3 | 1 (barre) | G (5) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 1 (barre) | C (1) |
C major 7th is played at the 2nd fret as 5 4 3 2: pinky finger on the G string at fret 5, ring finger on the C string at fret 4, middle finger on the E string at fret 3 and index finger on the A string at fret 2.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5 | 4 | C (1) |
| 3 (C) | 4 | 3 | E (3) |
| 2 (E) | 3 | 2 | G (5) |
| 1 (A) | 2 | 1 | B (7) |
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.
| 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) |
C major 7th is played in open position as 0 0 7 7: index finger on the E string at fret 7 and middle finger on the A string at fret 7. The G and C strings ring open.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | open | — | G (5) |
| 3 (C) | open | — | C (1) |
| 2 (E) | 7 | 1 | B (7) |
| 1 (A) | 7 | 2 | E (3) |
C major 7th is written as CM7 or Cmaj7.
C major 7th adds the B on top of the C major triad. The B is the leading tone in C major, which gives the chord a strong pull back to C.
The open shape has C in the bass, while the 4-4-3-3 shape has E in the bass. The E bass makes the chord sound more inverted and less grounded.