Also written C♯maj7 or C♯M7
C♯ major 7th is built from C♯, E♯, G♯, and B♯. The default grip requires a full barre at the 1st fret plus a pinky stretch.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
C♯ major 7th stacks a major 3rd, perfect 5th, and major 7th over C♯. The major 7th interval (C♯ to B♯) gives the chord its bright, shimmering quality. Compare it to C♯ major, which stops at the perfect 5th.
Use C♯ major 7th as the tonic in C♯ major, such as in the I–IV–V–I progression C♯–F♯–G♯–C♯. It also works in A♭ major as the IV chord. The chord suits jazz, R&B, and sophisticated pop.
The default barre shape (1-1-1-3) has C♯ in the bass and is the most direct. For a lighter sound, use the 1-0-1-4 shape, which puts B♯ in the bass and avoids the barre.
C♯ major 7th is played at the 1st fret as 1 1 1 3: barre your index finger across fret 1 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 3.
Tip — The hardest part is holding a clean barre at the 1st fret while the pinky reaches to the 3rd fret.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1 | 1 (barre) | G♯ (5) |
| 3 (C) | 1 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (1) |
| 2 (E) | 1 | 1 (barre) | E♯ (3) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 4 | B♯ (7) |
C♯ major 7th is played in open position as 1 0 1 4: index finger on the G string at fret 1, middle finger on the E string at fret 1 and ring finger on the A string at fret 4. The C string rings open.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1 | 1 | G♯ (5) |
| 3 (C) | open | — | B♯ (7) |
| 2 (E) | 1 | 2 | E♯ (3) |
| 1 (A) | 4 | 3 | C♯ (1) |
C♯ major 7th is played at the 4th fret as 5 5 4 4: barre your index finger across fret 4, middle finger on the G string at fret 5 and ring finger on the C string at fret 5.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5 | 2 | B♯ (7) |
| 3 (C) | 5 | 3 | E♯ (3) |
| 2 (E) | 4 | 1 (barre) | G♯ (5) |
| 1 (A) | 4 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (1) |
C♯ major 7th is played at the 3rd fret as 6 5 4 3: pinky finger on the G string at fret 6, ring finger on the C string at fret 5, middle finger on the E string at fret 4 and index finger on the A string at fret 3.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6 | 4 | C♯ (1) |
| 3 (C) | 5 | 3 | E♯ (3) |
| 2 (E) | 4 | 2 | G♯ (5) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 1 | B♯ (7) |
C♯ major 7th is played at the 6th fret as 6 8 8 8: index finger on the G string at fret 6, middle finger on the C string at fret 8, ring finger on the E string at fret 8 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 8.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6 | 1 | C♯ (1) |
| 3 (C) | 8 | 2 | G♯ (5) |
| 2 (E) | 8 | 3 | B♯ (7) |
| 1 (A) | 8 | 4 | E♯ (3) |
C♯ major 7th is written as C♯M7 or C♯maj7. The ASCII root spelling is C#. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
C♯ major 7th adds the major 7th note B♯ to the C♯ major triad. This gives it a more complex, jazzy color.
The default shape places C♯ as the lowest note, making it a root-position voicing. This gives the chord a solid, grounded feel.