Cmaj7 guitar chord
How to play Cmaj7 on guitar — the notes C, E, G, B, a shape you can tap to hear, the keys it lives in, and a progression to hear it in context. Free.
The shape
Tap the diagram to hear Cmaj7 strummed. Cmaj7 is an open chord — it uses open strings near the nut, so it rings full and is friendly for beginners.
The notes in Cmaj7
A major seventh chord is spelled from its root up: C (R), E (3), G (5), B (7). Those are the only notes in Cmaj7 — play them in any order, in any octave, and it's still Cmaj7.
What a major seventh chord is
In plain terms, a major 7th stacks a major seventh on a major chord (root, 3rd, 5th, 7th) — the major sound with a soft, dreamy sheen.
How it's used: It's the I and IV of a major key dressed up. Where a plain major is a statement, a major 7 is a sigh.
The sound: Lush, warm, jazzy, romantic — 'sophisticated major'. Where you'll hear it: Jazz, soul, bossa nova, neo-soul, and any ballad reaching for a softer landing.
Hear Cmaj7 in a progression
A lush I–IV vamp — let each chord ring and hear the sheen. Press play, and drag the Key control to move it anywhere.
Keys that use Cmaj7
Cmaj7 appears naturally in these keys — click any to see all seven of its chords and how Cmaj7 fits in:
Other C chords
major seventh chords on other roots
Chords and their spellings are shared facts of music theory. Every diagram and sound here is generated by ThunderFret's own engine — no tabs, lyrics or recordings are reproduced.
Open Cmaj7 in the interactive tool to see every place it sits on the neck, hear it, and find the shape that fits your hand — free.
See Cmaj7 on the fretboardFrequently asked
What notes are in Cmaj7?
Cmaj7 is made of 4 notes: C (the R), E (the 3), G (the 5), B (the 7).
How do you play Cmaj7 on guitar?
Cmaj7 is an open chord — it uses open strings near the nut, so it rings full and is friendly for beginners.
What key is Cmaj7 in?
Cmaj7 is a diatonic chord in 4 keys, including the I of C major. See all of them below.