Fmaj7 chord on guitar
Fmaj7 (F major 7th) is a major 7th chord built on F. It has 4 notes, F, A, C and E, and its formula is 1 3 5 7.
Notes and intervals of Fmaj7
From the root upwards, Fmaj7 contains root (F), major 3rd (A), perfect 5th (C) and major 7th (E). 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 F you can build the chord on any note.
| Degree | Interval | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | root | F |
| 3 | major 3rd | A |
| 5 | perfect 5th | C |
| 7 | major 7th | E |
How to play Fmaj7 on guitar
The first shape above reads x x 3 2 1 0 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 F. 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.
Let the open strings ring: strum slowly once and check that every note sounds clean before you speed up.
Which keys use Fmaj7?
You find Fmaj7 as a diatonic chord in F major (Imaj7) and C major (IVmaj7). The most common case is F major, where it plays the role of Imaj7.
Scales to play over Fmaj7
To improvise over Fmaj7, start with F major scale. All of these scales contain every note of the chord: F major scale and F 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 Fmaj7 chord?
Fmaj7 (F major 7th) contains F, A, C and E. In intervals: root (F), major 3rd (A), perfect 5th (C) and major 7th (E).
How do you play Fmaj7 on guitar?
The easiest shape is x x 3 2 1 0, from the low E string to the high E string. This page shows 3 positions with finger numbers.
What scale goes with Fmaj7?
F major scale fits Fmaj7 best. Other scales that contain all its notes: F Lydian mode.
What key is Fmaj7 in?
Fmaj7 belongs to F major (Imaj7) and C major (IVmaj7). In F major it is the Imaj7 chord.
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