Also written Gmaj7 or GM7
G major 7th contains G, B, D, and F♯. This advanced ukulele chord demands a full barre across three strings at the 2nd fret.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
G major 7th is built from the formula 1, 3, 5, 7, stacking a major 3rd, perfect 5th, and major 7th above the root G. The major 7th interval between G and F♯ gives the chord its lush, unresolved quality. Compare it with G major, which omits the F♯ and sounds more settled.
G major 7th functions as the I chord in G major, appearing in progressions like I–IV–V–I (G–C–D–G) and I–V–vi–IV (G–D–E minor–C). Its airy, jazzy color suits bossa nova, neo-soul, and gentle ballads. Use it to add sophistication to a G major passage or as a substitute for G in a G major scale context.
The default Gmaj7/D inversion places D in the bass, softening the chord's root identity. For a brighter, more definitive sound, use the Gmaj7/F♯ inversion with F♯ in the bass, or the 7th fret voicing with G in the bass for a fuller register.
G major 7th is played in open position as 0 2 2 2: barre your index finger across fret 2. The G string rings open.
Tip — The index finger must barre three strings cleanly at the 2nd fret while the open G string remains unobstructed.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | open | — | G (1) |
| 3 (C) | 2 | 1 (barre) | D (5) |
| 2 (E) | 2 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (7) |
| 1 (A) | 2 | 1 (barre) | B (3) |
G major 7th is played at the 3rd fret as 4 6 3 5: middle finger on the G string at fret 4, pinky finger on the C string at fret 6, index finger on the E string at fret 3 and ring finger on the A string at fret 5.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4 | 2 | B (3) |
| 3 (C) | 6 | 4 | F♯ (7) |
| 2 (E) | 3 | 1 | G (1) |
| 1 (A) | 5 | 3 | D (5) |
G major 7th is played at the 7th fret as 7 7 7 9: barre your index finger across fret 7 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 9.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 7 | 1 (barre) | D (5) |
| 3 (C) | 7 | 1 (barre) | G (1) |
| 2 (E) | 7 | 1 (barre) | B (3) |
| 1 (A) | 9 | 4 | F♯ (7) |
G major 7th is played at the 10th fret as 11 11 10 10: barre your index finger across fret 10, middle finger on the G string at fret 11 and ring finger on the C string at fret 11.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 11 | 2 | F♯ (7) |
| 3 (C) | 11 | 3 | B (3) |
| 2 (E) | 10 | 1 (barre) | D (5) |
| 1 (A) | 10 | 1 (barre) | G (1) |
G major 7th is played in open position as 0 6 7 5: middle finger on the C string at fret 6, ring finger on the E string at fret 7 and index finger on the A string at fret 5. The G string rings open.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | open | — | G (1) |
| 3 (C) | 6 | 2 | F♯ (7) |
| 2 (E) | 7 | 3 | B (3) |
| 1 (A) | 5 | 1 | D (5) |
G major 7th is written as GM7 or Gmaj7. There is no enharmonic alias for this chord.
G major 7th contains a major 7th interval (F♯), while G dominant 7th contains a minor 7th (F). The major 7th creates a softer, more consonant sound than the dominant's tension.
The default Gmaj7/D inversion places the 5th (D) in the bass, which creates a less grounded sound than a root-position voicing. This inversion is chosen for its smooth voice leading on the ukulele.