C♯maj7 chord on guitar
C♯maj7 (C sharp major 7th) is a major 7th chord built on C♯. It has 4 notes, C♯, E♯, G♯ and B♯, and its formula is 1 3 5 7.
Notes and intervals of C♯maj7
From the root upwards, C♯maj7 contains root (C♯), major 3rd (E♯), perfect 5th (G♯) and major 7th (B♯). Those intervals give the chord its colour: the formula 1 3 5 7 works the same way in every key, so once you know it for C♯ you can build the chord on any note.
| Degree | Interval | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | root | C♯ |
| 3 | major 3rd | E♯ |
| 5 | perfect 5th | G♯ |
| 7 | major 7th | B♯ |
How to play C♯maj7 on guitar
The first shape above reads x 4 3 1 1 1 from the low E string to the high E string (x means you do not play that string, 0 is an open string). The lowest note you play is C♯. The other diagrams show the same chord higher up the neck: pick the one closest to the chords before and after it in your song.
This is a barre or movable shape: keep your index finger straight and close to the fret, and press with the side of the finger rather than the flat pad.
Which keys use C♯maj7?
You find C♯maj7 as a diatonic chord in D flat major (Imaj7) and A flat major (IVmaj7). The most common case is D flat major, where it plays the role of Imaj7.
Scales to play over C♯maj7
To improvise over C♯maj7, start with C sharp major scale. All of these scales contain every note of the chord: C sharp major scale and C sharp Lydian mode. Aim for the chord notes on strong beats and use the other notes to move between them.
About major 7th chords
A major triad plus a major seventh: 1 3 5 7. The seventh sits a semitone below the octave, which gives a soft, floating, slightly bittersweet colour. The major seventh chord is relaxed rather than tense: it does not need to resolve and can sit for a whole verse. For example Cmaj7: C E G B.
It lives on I and IV of a major key (Imaj7, IVmaj7), so it is the home chord of jazz, bossa nova, soul, neo-soul and soft pop. Classic moves: ii7 V7 Imaj7 in jazz, Imaj7 IVmaj7 for dreamy loops, and in minor keys ♭IIImaj7 and ♭VImaj7, the I and IV of the relative major.
Open shapes like Cmaj7 (x32000), Fmaj7 (xx3210) and Amaj7 (x02120) are easy starters. The movable shapes: root on the 5th string with the 7 on the 3rd string, or root on the 6th string with the 5th string muted (root, 7, 3, 5 on strings 6, 4, 3, 2). Strum lightly: the 7 sounds best when it rings clearly.
Confusing maj7 with 7 is the classic error: the dominant 7 has a minor seventh and pulls to resolve, maj7 does not. Watch the symbols: maj7, M7, Δ7 and Δ all mean the same chord, but 7 alone does not. And a major 7 on the V chord clashes with the melody: in a major key, V takes a plain 7.
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the C♯maj7 chord?
C♯maj7 (C sharp major 7th) contains C♯, E♯, G♯ and B♯. In intervals: root (C♯), major 3rd (E♯), perfect 5th (G♯) and major 7th (B♯).
How do you play C♯maj7 on guitar?
The easiest shape is x 4 3 1 1 1, from the low E string to the high E string. This page shows 3 positions with finger numbers.
What scale goes with C♯maj7?
C sharp major scale fits C♯maj7 best. Other scales that contain all its notes: C sharp Lydian mode.
What key is C♯maj7 in?
C♯maj7 belongs to D flat major (Imaj7) and A flat major (IVmaj7). In D flat major it is the Imaj7 chord.
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