Cmaj7
C Major 7th — lush and at rest — the natural seventh adds shimmer without demanding resolution.
The keys
C – E – G – B
What's inside Cmaj7
| Note | Interval from root | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| C | Root | 1 |
| E | Major 3rd | 3 |
| G | Perfect 5th | 5 |
| B | Major 7th | 7 |
Inversions
| Position | Keys (low → high) |
|---|---|
| Root position | C4 – E4 – G4 – B4 |
| 1st inversion | E4 – G4 – B4 – C5 |
| 2nd inversion | G4 – B4 – C5 – E5 |
| 3rd inversion | B4 – C5 – E5 – G5 |
A working voicing
Split the chord between two hands the way working players do — a solid shell low down, the colour tones up top:
| Hand | Keys |
|---|---|
| Left (shell) | C2 – B2 |
| Right (colour) | E4 – G4 |
Where Cmaj7 lives
As the ii chord
Cmaj7 → F7 → B♭maj7
Minor-family sevenths live on the ii — this is the move they were born for.
Stepwise colour
C → Cmaj7 → Dm7
Used as a passing colour between neighbouring chords.
Put Cmaj7 under your fingers
Hear every voicing, see the keys light up, and drill it in the interactive Chord & Voicing Lab.
Open the Chord & Voicing Lab →