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    Written byLida van der Eijk
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    YoutubeMusic Theory Video SeriesA step-by-step guide to music theory fundamentals. These 60-second videos provide a clear, structured path to understanding how music works, optimized for a full-screen learning experience.YoutubeMusic Theory ShortsMaster music theory concepts in 60 seconds or less. Quick, vertical videos designed to give you essential theory knowledge in a fast-paced, mobile-friendly format.
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    1. Home
    2. Interval Library
    3. D sharp
    4. Major seventh

    Major seventh

    The distance spanning seven note names, with 11 semitones between them.

    M711 semitones


    Examples of Major seventh used in songs

    Real tracks where you can hear this interval and practice it with movable-do syllables.

    Guitar diagrams

    Which chords use the Major seventh interval?

    Chords whose formulas include this interval from the root note.

    Which scales use the Major seventh interval?

    Scales whose formulas include this interval.

    Similar intervals

    Intervals with a comparable quality and character.

    Practice the Major seventh interval

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    Sheet music

    Practice the Major seventh interval

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    Learn music theory with sonid

    Available on Android and iOS

    Pure Imagination

    Pure Imagination

    This song starts with a long introduction. Afterwards you’ll hear the major seventh: Come with me and you'll be in **a world** of pure imagination.

    Don’t know why

    Norah Jones

    The first two notes of the verse form a major seventh: **I waited** ‘til I saw the sun.

    Take on me

    A-Ha

    You can hear the major seventh interval in the chorus when they sing **Take on** me for the first time.

    Over the Rainbow

    Judy Garland

    The song starts with: **Somewhere o**-ver the rainbow, way up high. Some-where forms an octave, but afterwards the melody descends to a major seventh. So if you combine the first (Some) and third (O) note you can hear a major seventh interval.

    Misty

    Ella Fitzgerald

    Ella Fitzgerald is known to sing beautiful, but complicated melodies. In this song you can hear the major seventh interval when she sings: Look at me, I'm as **help-less** as a kitten up a tree.

    The song is you

    Chet Baker

    The second time Chet sings **I-Alone** in the bridge, you hear a major seventh.

    Popular

    Nada Surf

    You can hear the major seventh interval in the guitar part through the whole song.

    There Will Never Be Another You

    Chet Baker

    The major seventh interval is hard to find in popular music. It is a bit easier if you get into jazz music. This jazz classic contains a major seventh interval: Yes, I may dream a million dreams, but how can they **come true**.

    Time to Say Goodbye

    Andrea Bocelli

    This follows the same pattern as Over the Rainbow. In the chorus Andrea Bocelli sings: "Paesi che non ho **mai, Ve-du**to e vissuto con te" 

    Mai to ve is a octave, after which the melody descends into a major seventh at du. So if you combine the first and third note you hear a major seventh interval.

    The major seventh (M7) is a high-tension consonance with a refined, unresolved color. It spans 11 semitones and is central to major seventh harmony and modern tonal language.

    Construction and spelling

    M7 runs from a note to its seventh letter name, such as C to B, F to E, or G to F#. It belongs to the major/minor interval family. Accurate spelling is crucial because M7 differs strongly in function from m7.

    Harmonic and melodic usage

    Harmonically, M7 defines the color of major seventh chords and upper extensions. Melodically, it creates a strong leading pull and expressive tension, especially near phrase endings. In voicing, M7 is often treated carefully because of its close semitone relation to the octave.

    Examples

    • Major seventh chord sonorities in jazz, neo-soul, and film music
    • Melodic lines approaching tonic by major seventh motion
    • Upper-structure voicings emphasizing bright yet tense color

    In practice

    Practice M7 against drones and chord pads to control intonation and hear its pull toward resolution. Compare M7 with m7 to internalize the difference in function and color. Strong M7 awareness improves advanced harmony hearing and phrasing decisions.

    Major second
    Major third
    Major sixth
    Major seventh
    Major ninth
    Major thirteenth
    Major tenth
    D♯ M13♯11
    D♯ M7♯5sus4
    D♯ M7add13
    D♯ M7♭5
    D♯ M7♭6
    D♯ M7♭9
    D♯ M7sus4
    D♯ M9♯5sus4
    D♯ M9♭5
    D♯ M9sus4
    D♯ m/ma7
    D♯ mM9
    D♯ mMaj7♭6
    D♯ mMaj9♭6
    D♯ maj♯4
    D♯ maj13
    D♯ maj7
    D♯ maj7♯5
    D♯ maj7♯9♯11
    D♯ maj9
    D♯ maj9♯11
    D♯ maj9♯5
    D♯ m♭6M7
    D♯ o7M7
    D♯ oM7
    D♯ Major
    D♯ Augmented
    D♯ Augmented heptatonic
    D♯ Balinese
    D♯ Bebop
    D♯ Bebop major
    D♯ Chromatic
    D♯ Diminished
    D♯ Double harmonic lydian
    D♯ Double harmonic major
    D♯ Enigmatic
    D♯ Harmonic major
    D♯ Harmonic minor
    D♯ Hungarian minor
    D♯ Ichikosucho
    D♯ Ionian pentatonic
    D♯ Kafi raga
    D♯ Leading whole tone
    D♯ Lydian
    D♯ Lydian sharp fifth pentatonic
    D♯ Lydian sharp ninth
    D♯ Lydian Augmented
    D♯ Lydian diminished
    D♯ Lydian pentatonic
    D♯ Major augmented
    D♯ Melodic minor
    D♯ Messiaen's mode 3
    D♯ Messiaen's mode 4
    D♯ Messiaen's mode 5
    D♯ Messiaen's mode 6
    D♯ Messiaen's mode 7
    D♯ Minor major seven pentatonic
    D♯ Minor bebop
    D♯ Minor hexatonic
    D♯ Minor six diminished
    D♯ Neopolitan major
    D♯ Persian
    D♯ Purvi raga
    D♯ Todi raga