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C♯ minor major 7th chord on ukulele (C♯mMaj7)
Also called or written C♯mMaj7, C♯minmaj7, C♯mmaj7, C♯mM7, C♯ Minor Sharp 7 or C♯ Minor ♯7
C♯ minor major 7th contains C♯, E, G♯, and B♯. The 6th fret voicing requires a wide stretch across three frets, testing finger independence.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 5, 7
How do you play a C♯ minor major 7th chord on ukulele?
C♯ minor major 7th is played at the 6th fret as 6 8 8 7: index finger on the G string at fret 6, ring finger on the C string at fret 8, pinky finger on the E string at fret 8 and middle finger on the A string at fret 7.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6 | 1 | C♯ (1) |
| 3 (C) | 8 | 3 | G♯ (5) |
| 2 (E) | 8 | 4 | B♯ (7) |
| 1 (A) | 7 | 2 | E (♭3) |
AdvancedThe stretch from the 6th fret on the G string to the 8th fret on the C and E strings demands significant finger span.
Open
C♯ minor major 7th is played in open position as 1 1 0 3: index finger on the G string at fret 1, middle finger on the C string at fret 1 and ring finger on the A string at fret 3. The E string rings open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1 | 1 | G♯ (5) |
| 3 (C) | 1 | 2 | C♯ (1) |
| 2 (E) | open | — | E (♭3) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 3 | B♯ (7) |
C♯minmaj7/E inversion
C♯ minor major 7th is played at the 4th fret as 5 4 4 4: barre your index finger across fret 4 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 5.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5 | 4 | B♯ (7) |
| 3 (C) | 4 | 1 (barre) | E (♭3) |
| 2 (E) | 4 | 1 (barre) | G♯ (5) |
| 1 (A) | 4 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (1) |
Why it sounds like that
C♯ minor major 7th is built from the formula 1, ♭3, 5, 7. The major 7th interval between C♯ and B♯ gives the chord its distinctive tension. Compare it to C♯ minor, which lacks the B♯ and sounds more consonant.
What goes wrong with C♯ minor major 7th?
- Letting the G string buzz because the index finger is too far from the fret.
- Muting the A string with the middle finger while reaching for the 8th fret.
When to use it
C♯ minor major 7th works in C♯ minor progressions, often as a passing chord between C♯ minor and C♯ minor 7th. It suits gypsy jazz and dramatic ballads. Try it before C♯ minor or C♯ 5th.
Changing to and from C♯ minor major 7th
- Sliding the shape down two frets to the 4th fret gives B minor major 7th.
- From C♯ minor major 7th, lift the pinky and ring finger to move to C♯ minor.
Which voicing to use
The 6th fret voicing keeps C♯ in the bass for a root-position sound. The C♯minmaj7/G♯ inversion places G♯ in the bass, creating a different color, while the C♯minmaj7/B♯ inversion puts B♯ in the bass for a leading-tone pull.
Other C♯ chords
Common questions
How is C♯ minor major 7th written?
C♯ minor major 7th is written C♯mmaj7, C♯minmaj7, or C♯mM7. The ASCII root spelling is C#. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
What mistake do players make with this shape?
Players often let the pinky collapse and mute the E string. Keep the pinky arched and press with the fingertip.
How does C♯ minor major 7th differ from C♯ minor 7th?
C♯ minor major 7th has a major 7th (B♯), while C♯ minor 7th has a minor 7th (B). The major 7th creates a sharper, more dissonant sound.