A major seventh (Amaj7) chord on piano

Looking for the Amaj7 chord on piano? It is a major seventh chord (a major triad plus a major seventh), made of four notes: A – C♯ – E – G♯.

Root position: A3 – C♯4 – E4 – G♯4

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What the Amaj7 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 Amaj7 chord

Degree	Note	Interval from the root
1	A	root
3	C♯	major third (4 semitones)
5	E	perfect fifth (7 semitones)
7	G♯	major seventh (11 semitones)

Root position and inversions

An inversion uses the same notes, with a different note at the bottom. When you change chords, choosing the nearest inversion keeps your hand almost still.

Root position

A3 – C♯4 – E4 – G♯4

1st inversion

C♯4 – E4 – G♯4 – A4

2nd inversion

E4 – G♯4 – A4 – C♯5

3rd inversion

G♯4 – A4 – C♯5 – E5

Which keys is it in?

The Amaj7 chord is built from the notes of these keys (for minor keys, both the natural and the harmonic minor are considered):

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

Similar chords and substitutes

If Amaj7 is too hard, or you want a different colour in the same spot, these chords are worth a try.

Substitutes (by function)

F♯m7 – relative minor seventh: three shared notes
C♯m7 – mediant minor seventh: three shared notes
A6 – another tonic colour, more vintage and swingy

Simpler versions

A – all 3 of its notes are in this chord

Richer versions

Amaj9 – the same chord plus 1 colour note

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the Amaj7 chord?

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

How do I play the Amaj7 chord on piano?

In root position, the right hand usually plays with fingers 1, 3 and 5 (thumb, middle finger, little finger); four-note chords with fingers 1, 2, 3 and 5. The left hand mirrors this: 5, 3, 1. In an inversion the top or bottom note moves to the other side, so your hand moves less when you change chords.

How is the Amaj7 chord written?

The chord symbol is Amaj7, and its full name is A major seventh.