Learn music theory video 12: Major Seventh Chord


Author: Lida van der Eijk

Today's topic: "What is a major seventh chord?" In this video you will learn how to construct and identify a major seventh chord in 30 seconds. Including some examples and common mistakes.


A chord is a group of notes, most commonly constructed from stacking thirds within a scale or key.


The major seventh chord is made up from the intervals: perfect prime (P1), major third (M3), perfect fifth (P5), major seventh (M7).


Common aliases for this chord


- Cmaj7

- C∆

- Cma7

- CM7 (note the capital M)


Voicings

As long as you keep the root note (P1) as the lowest note you can duplicate and play the notes in the chord in any order allowing you to have more versatile voicings of the chord.


That's it, you can now use the major seventh chord!


After watching the video you can also read about [what a major seventh chord is](https://sonid.app/musictheory/chord/maj7).


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