C major seventh (Cmaj7) chord on banjo

Looking for the Cmaj7 chord on banjo? It is a major seventh chord (a major triad plus a major seventh), made of four notes: C – E – G – B.

Dots show:

Basic shapemedium

Position 8medium

Tap a string on a diagram to hear just that string. The sound is generated in your browser with a physical string model.

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What the Cmaj7 chord sounds like

The major seventh chord sounds soft, dreamy and a little jazzy. The major seventh sits a half step below the root, so it rubs gently against it without needing to resolve.

Notes of the Cmaj7 chord

Degree	Note	Interval from the root
1	C	root
3	E	major third (4 semitones)
5	G	perfect fifth (7 semitones) – often omitted on fretted instruments
7	B	major seventh (11 semitones)

How to play it – with fingering

Basic shape

String 1 (D): fret 2, index finger (E4)
String 2 (B): open (B3)
String 3 (G): fret 5, little finger (C4)
String 4 (D): fret 5, little finger (G3)

Position 8

String 1 (D): fret 9, ring finger (B4)
String 2 (B): fret 8, index finger (G4)
String 3 (G): fret 9, middle finger (E4)
String 4 (D): fret 10, little finger (C4)

Five-string banjo in open G tuning (g D G B D). The diagram shows the four long strings; the short 5th string (g) rings open – avoid it when G is not in the chord. In the diagram, × means the string is not played, and a circle means an open string.

Which keys is it in?

The Cmaj7 chord is built from the notes of these keys (for minor keys, both the natural and the harmonic minor are considered):

C major: Imaj7 (tonic)
G major: IVmaj7 (subdominant)
A minor: IIImaj7
E minor: VImaj7

Similar chords and substitutes

If Cmaj7 is too hard, or you want a different colour in the same spot, these chords are worth a try.

Substitutes (by function)

Am7 – relative minor seventh: three shared notes
Em7 – mediant minor seventh: three shared notes
C6 – another tonic colour, more vintage and swingy

Simpler versions

C – all 3 of its notes are in this chord

Richer versions

Cmaj9 – the same chord plus 1 colour note

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the Cmaj7 chord?

C, E, G, B. The root is C; the intervals of the other notes from the root: major third, perfect fifth, major seventh.

What is the easiest way to play Cmaj7 on banjo?

The easiest shape above is “Basic shape”. We show 2 shapes, from open and easy versions to movable barre shapes higher up the neck.

How do I read the chord diagram?

Strings run from the lowest (left) to the highest (right) – tick “Left-handed” to mirror it. Rows are frets; a number at the side shows the starting fret. Dots are fingers (1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little), a long bar is a barre, × means don't play that string and ○ means play it open.

Why is a note missing from some Cmaj7 shapes?

On a fretted instrument you can't always play every note of a 4-note chord. The fifth (G) may be dropped – the chord keeps its character without it.

How is the Cmaj7 chord written?

The chord symbol is Cmaj7, and its full name is C major seventh.