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Amaj7 chord on guitar

Amaj7 (A major seventh) is A, C♯, E and G♯. The easiest way to play it is the open Amaj7 chord, written x02120. Put your 1st finger (index) on the 3rd string, 1st fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 4th string, 2nd fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 2nd string, 2nd fret. Let the 5th and 1st strings ring open. Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

Amaj7

A major seventh · A C♯ E G♯ · 1 3 5 7

  • Open position

    Open chord

    213AEG♯C♯E

    x02120

  • 5th fret

    Root on the 6th string

    5fr1342AG♯C♯E

    5x665x

Or pick another chord to see and hear it

Root
Chord

Dots show where each finger goes, numbered 1 (index) to 4 (little); the green ones are A, the root.

How to play Amaj7

Strings are counted from the thinnest: the 1st is the high E and the 6th the low E. Each shape is written as tab from the 6th string to the 1st, a number for the fret to press, 0 for an open string and x for one not played.

  1. 1. Open chord · Open position

    x02120
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 3rd string, 1st fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 4th string, 2nd fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 2nd string, 2nd fret.
    • Let the 5th and 1st strings ring open.
    • Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

  2. 2. Root on the 6th string · 5th fret

    5x665x
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 6th string, 5th fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 2nd string, 5th fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 6th fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 3rd string, 6th fret.
    • Mute the 5th and 1st strings by letting the fingers next to them touch them lightly.

Notes in the Amaj7 chord

Amaj7 is A, C♯, E and G♯, and it sounds soft and dreamy, the sound of lo-fi, R&B and bossa nova. From A, count 4 half steps up to C♯, 3 more to E and 4 more to G♯. Its formula is 1 3 5 7. The shapes above play these notes in different orders and octaves, some more than once, but always with A lowest. See its inversions and keys on the Amaj7 piano chord page.

Chords that often come after Amaj7

Dmaj7xx0222Amaj7 to Dmaj7 is Imaj7 to IVmaj7, the floating move of lo-fi and neo-soul.Bm7x20202Amaj7 to Bm7 is Imaj7 to ii7, which sets up a ii–V–I back home.F♯m7242222Amaj7 to F♯m7 is Imaj7 to vi7: they share three notes, so it barely moves.

More guitar chords

Other chords on A

AAmA7Am7Asus2Asus4Aadd9A9A6AdimAm7♭5Adim7Aaug

Major seventh chords on other notes

Cmaj7D♭maj7Dmaj7E♭maj7Emaj7Fmaj7G♭maj7Gmaj7A♭maj7B♭maj7Bmaj7

Or see every chord at once on the guitar chord chart.

Frequently asked questions

How do you play Amaj7 on guitar?

The easiest way to play it is the open Amaj7 chord, written x02120. Put your 1st finger (index) on the 3rd string, 1st fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 4th string, 2nd fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 2nd string, 2nd fret. Let the 5th and 1st strings ring open. Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

What notes are in the Amaj7 chord?

Amaj7 is A, C♯, E and G♯. In the shape written x02120, the 5th to 1st strings play A, E, G♯, C♯ and E.

Is Amaj7 a barre chord?

No: none of its shapes here needs a barre.

How many ways can you play Amaj7 on guitar?

This page shows two: x02120 (open position) and 5x665x (5th fret). Any chord can be played in more places up the neck; these are the ones chord books show first.

Can I make a beat with Amaj7?

Yes. “Make a beat in A major” opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in A major on A E F♯m D, the key where Amaj7 is the Imaj7 chord. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account is needed to start.

Make a beat in A major

Opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in A major on A E F♯m D, the key where Amaj7 is the Imaj7 chord. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account needed to start.

Make a beat in A majorAll guitar chords

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