C♯ minor major 7th chord on ukulele (C♯mMaj7)

Why it sounds like that

C♯ minor major 7th stacks a minor 3rd, perfect 5th, and major 7th over C♯. The major 7th B♯ is a leading tone that gives the chord its tense, unresolved quality. Compare it to C♯ minor, which omits the B♯ and sounds more settled.

What goes wrong with C♯ minor major 7th?

• The ring finger flattens onto the E string, muting the open note.
• The index finger slides off the G string, causing a buzz.
• The middle finger touches the E string, deadening the open string.

When to use it

C♯ minor major 7th works as a dramatic substitution in C♯ minor progressions, often resolving to C♯ minor or C♯ 5th. Its dark, tense sound suits jazz ballads and film-score passages. Try it before C♯ minor for a brief harmonic lift.

Changing to and from C♯ minor major 7th

• Sliding the shape up one fret to the 4th fret gives D minor major 7th, keeping the same finger pattern.
• Move to C♯ minor by lifting the ring finger and leaving the A string open.

Which voicing to use

The default open position puts C♯ in the bass for a clear, direct sound. The C♯minmaj7/E inversion at the 4th fret has E in the bass for a darker, more ambiguous tone. Choose the open shape for easier fingering and a brighter attack.