Emaj7 chord on piano
Emaj7 (E major 7th) is a major 7th chord built on E. It has 4 notes, E, G♯, B and D♯, and its formula is 1 3 5 7.
Notes and intervals of Emaj7
From the root upwards, Emaj7 contains root (E), major 3rd (G♯), perfect 5th (B) and major 7th (D♯). 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 E you can build the chord on any note.
| Degree | Interval | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | root | E |
| 3 | major 3rd | G♯ |
| 5 | perfect 5th | B |
| 7 | major 7th | D♯ |
How to play Emaj7 on piano
Find E and play E, G♯, B and D♯ together. With the right hand, a common fingering is 1-2-3-5. With the left hand, reverse it (5-3-2-1). Keep your wrist level and let the fingers curve, so all 4 keys go down at the same time.
Inversions of Emaj7
An inversion keeps the same notes but puts another one in the bass. Emaj7 has 3 inversions besides root position: 1st inversion (G♯ B D♯ E), 2nd inversion (B D♯ E G♯) and 3rd inversion (D♯ E G♯ B). Inversions let you move between chords with tiny hand movements, which is how pianists make progressions sound smooth.
Which keys use Emaj7?
You find Emaj7 as a diatonic chord in E major (Imaj7) and B major (IVmaj7). The most common case is E major, where it plays the role of Imaj7.
Scales to play over Emaj7
To improvise over Emaj7, start with E major scale. All of these scales contain every note of the chord: E major scale and E 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.
Root position (1 3 5 7) is lush, but avoid doubling the root above the seventh: the two notes a semitone apart clash. A classic split: left hand root and fifth, right hand 3, 5, 7 or 3, 7, 9. Rootless shapes such as 3 5 7 9 are standard in jazz when a bass player covers the root.
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 Emaj7 chord?
Emaj7 (E major 7th) contains E, G♯, B and D♯. In intervals: root (E), major 3rd (G♯), perfect 5th (B) and major 7th (D♯).
How do you play Emaj7 on piano?
Play E, G♯, B and D♯ together with the right-hand fingering 1-2-3-5. You can also play it in 3 inversions, shown on this page.
What scale goes with Emaj7?
E major scale fits Emaj7 best. Other scales that contain all its notes: E Lydian mode.
What key is Emaj7 in?
Emaj7 belongs to E major (Imaj7) and B major (IVmaj7). In E major it is the Imaj7 chord.
Related
Ready to go further than the chart?
The free GuitarHarmony workshop shows every scale on the whole neck, names any chord you play and builds progressions with you. Free account, no card.