C major seventh chord on piano
Cmaj7 · CM7 · CΔ7 — a soft, jazzy major chord with the major seventh on top.
| Notes | C – E – G – B |
|---|---|
| Formula | 1 – 3 – 5 – 7 |
| Symbols | Cmaj7, CM7, CΔ7 |
| Fingering (root position) | Right hand 1 2 3 5 · Left hand 5 3 2 1 |
How to play C major seventh on the piano
Start on C (middle C is a good place). Add E, G, B. With the right hand use fingers 1 2 3 5; with the left hand 5 3 2 1. Press the keys together for the chord, or one after another for an arpeggio.
Inversions
The same notes in a different order: the lowest note changes, the chord stays C major seventh. Inversions let you move between chords with small steps.
Root position
C – E – G – B · RH 1 2 3 5 · LH 5 3 2 1
1st inversion
E – G – B – C · RH 1 2 3 5 · LH 5 3 2 1
2nd inversion
G – B – C – E · RH 1 2 4 5 · LH 5 3 2 1
3rd inversion
B – C – E – G · RH 1 2 3 5 · LH 5 4 2 1
Which keys use C major seventh
In these keys the chord is built from the notes of the scale itself:
Other C chords
C majorC minorC diminishedC augmentedC sus2C sus4C6C7C minor seventhC diminished seventhC half-diminished
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