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Gmaj7 Chord

Gmaj7 adds F sharp, a major seventh, to the G major triad. The seventh sits a semitone below the root above it, giving a settled chord a close, unresolved edge.

  • Notes: G-B-D-F sharp
  • Symbol: Gmaj7
  • Imaj7 in G major
  • Major seventh
Switch chordGmaj7

How to play a Gmaj7 chord

Notes: G - B - D - F# · symbol Gmaj7

  • Root position

    G - B - D - F#
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-3-5 · Left 5-3-2-1

  • 1st inversion

    B - D - F# - G
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-3-5 · Left 5-4-2-1

  • 2nd inversion

    D - F# - G - B
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-4-5 · Left 5-3-2-1

  • 3rd inversion

    F# - G - B - D
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-4-5 · Left 5-3-2-1

Where does Gmaj7 belong?

All four notes come from the G major scale, where Gmaj7 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 G majorHome, jazz style
    Imaj7

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

    Am7ii7D7V7Gmaj7Imaj7
  • In D majorA dreamy step away
    IVmaj7

    Swaying between Dmaj7 and this chord is a staple of soul and bossa nova.

    Dmaj7Imaj7Gmaj7IVmaj7
  • In B minorMinor-key color
    bVImaj7

    In B minor it brings in warmth before the music turns back home.

    BmiGmaj7bVImaj7AbVIIBmi

Progressions to try

  • Am7D7Gmaj7

    Gmaj7 is the Imaj7 arrival at the end of a ii-V-I in G major.

  • Dmaj7Gmaj7

    Here Gmaj7 is IVmaj7: a step away from the home chord rather than a final cadence.

  • BmGmaj7ABm

    In B minor, Gmaj7 colors the bVI degree before the phrase returns to minor.

Which shape should you use?

On guitar, start with the open 320002 grip. Let the open strings ring and keep any strings marked x silent. The 354433 shape gives you another position when the neighboring chords sit elsewhere on the neck.

On ukulele, the open shape 0222 is the easiest place to start. The 4635 grip moves the chord to another register.

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

What are the inversions?

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

  • Root position: G-B-D-F sharp, with G lowest.
  • First inversion: B-D-F sharp-G, written Gmaj7/B if B is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Second inversion: D-F sharp-G-B, written Gmaj7/D if D is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Third inversion: F sharp-G-B-D, written Gmaj7/F# if F 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 Gmaj7 differ from G7?

Keep the major triad and lower F sharp to F. That makes G7, 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 G7 for the other chord's full spelling and roles.

  • Gmaj7

    G - B - D - F#
    C4

    G major 7

  • G7

    G - B - D - F
    C4

    G dominant 7

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