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Cmaj7 chord on guitar

Cmaj7 (C major seventh) is C, E, G and B. The easiest way to play it is the open Cmaj7 chord, written x32000. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 4th string, 2nd fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 5th string, 3rd fret. Let the 3rd, 2nd and 1st strings ring open. Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

Cmaj7

C major seventh · C E G B · 1 3 5 7

  • Open position

    Open chord

    32CEGBE

    x32000

  • 3rd fret

    Barre chord, root on the 5th string

    3fr13241CGBEG

    x35453

  • 8th fret

    Root on the 6th string

    8fr1342CBEG

    8x998x

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 C, the root.

How to play Cmaj7

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

    x32000
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 4th string, 2nd fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 5th string, 3rd fret.
    • Let the 3rd, 2nd and 1st strings ring open.
    • Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

  2. 2. Barre chord, root on the 5th string · 3rd fret

    x35453
    • Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 5th to 1st strings at the 3rd fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 4th fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 5th fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 2nd string, 5th fret.
    • Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

  3. 3. Root on the 6th string · 8th fret

    8x998x
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 6th string, 8th fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 2nd string, 8th fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 9th fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 3rd string, 9th fret.
    • Mute the 5th and 1st strings by letting the fingers next to them touch them lightly.

Notes in the Cmaj7 chord

Cmaj7 is C, E, G and B, and it sounds soft and dreamy, the sound of lo-fi, R&B and bossa nova. From C, count 4 half steps up to E, 3 more to G and 4 more to B. 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 C lowest. See its inversions and keys on the Cmaj7 piano chord page.

Chords that often come after Cmaj7

Fmaj7xx3210Cmaj7 to Fmaj7 is Imaj7 to IVmaj7, the floating move of lo-fi and neo-soul.Dm7xx0211Cmaj7 to Dm7 is Imaj7 to ii7, which sets up a ii–V–I back home.Am7x02010Cmaj7 to Am7 is Imaj7 to vi7: they share three notes, so it barely moves.

More guitar chords

Other chords on C

CCmC7Cm7Csus2Csus4Cadd9C9C6CdimCm7♭5Cdim7Caug

Major seventh chords on other notes

D♭maj7Dmaj7E♭maj7Emaj7Fmaj7G♭maj7Gmaj7A♭maj7Amaj7B♭maj7Bmaj7

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

Frequently asked questions

How do you play Cmaj7 on guitar?

The easiest way to play it is the open Cmaj7 chord, written x32000. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 4th string, 2nd fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 5th string, 3rd fret. Let the 3rd, 2nd and 1st strings ring open. Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

What notes are in the Cmaj7 chord?

Cmaj7 is C, E, G and B. In the shape written x32000, the 5th to 1st strings play C, E, G, B and E.

Is Cmaj7 a barre chord?

It doesn't have to be: x32000 needs no barre. The barre shape (x35453) plays it higher up the neck and moves to any root.

How many ways can you play Cmaj7 on guitar?

This page shows three: x32000 (open position), x35453 (3rd fret) and 8x998x (8th 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 Cmaj7?

Yes. “Make a beat in C major” opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in C major on C G Am F, the key where Cmaj7 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 C major

Opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in C major on C G Am F, the key where Cmaj7 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 C majorAll guitar chords

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