akousia
Start here

C#maj7 Chord

C#maj7 adds B sharp, a major seventh, to the C sharp major triad. The seventh sits a semitone below the root above it, giving a settled chord a close, unresolved edge.

  • Notes: C sharp-E sharp-G sharp-B sharp
  • Symbol: C#maj7
  • Imaj7 in C# major
  • Major seventh
Switch chordC#maj7

How to play a C#maj7 chord

Notes: C# - E# - G# - B# · symbol C#maj7

  • Root position

    C# - E# - G# - B#
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-3-5 · Left 5-3-2-1

  • 1st inversion

    E# - G# - B# - C#
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-3-5 · Left 5-4-2-1

  • 2nd inversion

    G# - B# - C# - E#
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-4-5 · Left 5-3-2-1

  • 3rd inversion

    B# - C# - E# - G#
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-4-5 · Left 5-3-2-1

Where does C#maj7 belong?

All four notes come from the C sharp major scale, where C#maj7 can be the home chord.
Play the role cards to hear how its surrounding chords change the job it does; Diatonic Chords explains the basic numbered roles.

  • In C# majorHome, jazz style
    Imaj7

    The end point of a ii-V-I in C#: a resting chord with a soft glow.

    D#m7ii7G#7V7C#maj7Imaj7
  • In Ab majorA dreamy step away
    IVmaj7

    Swaying between Abmaj7 and this chord is a staple of soul and bossa nova. In this key the chord is spelled Dbmaj7.

    Abmaj7Imaj7Dbmaj7IVmaj7
  • In F minorMinor-key color
    bVImaj7

    In F minor it brings in warmth before the music turns back home. In this key the chord is spelled Dbmaj7.

    FmiDbmaj7bVImaj7EbbVIIFmi

Progressions to try

  • D#m7G#7C#maj7

    C#maj7 is the Imaj7 arrival at the end of a ii-V-I in C# major.

  • Abmaj7Dbmaj7

    Here C#maj7 is IVmaj7: a step away from the home chord rather than a final cadence. Here the same sounding chord is written Dbmaj7 rather than C#maj7.

  • FmDbmaj7EbFm

    In F minor, C#maj7 colors the bVI degree before the phrase returns to minor. Here the same sounding chord is written Dbmaj7 rather than C#maj7.

Which shape should you use?

On guitar, start with x43111, a barre at the 1st fret. Press the barred notes evenly and mute any strings marked x. The x46564 shape gives you another position when the neighboring chords sit elsewhere on the neck.

On ukulele, start with 1113, played at the 1st fret. The 5544 grip moves the chord to another register.

On piano, play C sharp-E sharp-G sharp-B sharp. Move C sharp up an octave to reach the first inversion, E sharp-G sharp-B sharp-C sharp; the notes remain the same while the lowest voice changes.

What are the inversions?

C sharp is the root, E sharp the major third, G sharp the fifth and B sharp the major seventh, eleven semitones above the root.

  • Root position: C sharp-E sharp-G sharp-B sharp, with C sharp lowest.
  • First inversion: E sharp-G sharp-B sharp-C sharp, written C#maj7/E# if E sharp is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Second inversion: G sharp-B sharp-C sharp-E sharp, written C#maj7/G# if G sharp is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Third inversion: B sharp-C sharp-E sharp-G sharp, written C#maj7/B# if B sharp is lowest in the whole arrangement.

A slash chord names the note in the bass, not merely the lowest note under one hand. Chord Inversions shows how to read that distinction.

How does C#maj7 differ from C#7?

Keep the major triad and lower B sharp to B. That makes C#7, the dominant-seventh version; the changed seventh is the difference to hear. Try that one-note change on piano, then use the comparer to hear it in the full chord. See C#7 for the other chord's full spelling and roles.

  • C#maj7

    C# - E# - G# - B#
    C4C5

    C# major 7

  • C#7

    C# - E# - G# - B
    C4C5

    C# dominant 7

Try another chord