Major 7th chord · A root
Amaj7 chord
- A1
- C#3
- E5
- G#7
The A major 7th chord is built from the notes A, C#, E, G#. A major 7th shape you will meet in the first weeks of playing.
By Chiye · Updated
What is the Amaj7 chord?
The Amaj7 chord (A major 7th) is a major 7th chord built from four notes: A, C#, E, G# — the 1–3–5–7 of the A scale, 4 semitones and 7 semitones and 11 semitones above the root. On guitar it is most often played in open position (x-0-2-1-2-0) with 3 fretted strings while 2 strings ring open and the low E string stays silent. It is rated beginner — most players learn it in their first weeks. A soft, jazzy chord heard all over neo-soul and bossa. Below you will find step-by-step fingering, 3 positions up the neck, audio of every shape, and the real progressions this chord lives inside.
How do you play the Amaj7 chord on guitar?
Open position — the easiest version of Amaj7 on the guitar.
- Press the D string at fret 2 with your middle finger.
- Press the G string at fret 1 with your index finger.
- Press the B string at fret 2 with your ring finger.
- Start your strum on the A string and do not play the low E string at all.
The x mark is part of the shape, not an accident: the chord only sounds right when low E stays silent. Instead of aiming your pick around that string, let the string next to it rest on it and damp it. x-0-2-1-2-0
How do you make Amaj7 sound clean?
Amaj7 keeps the open A bass and puts G# on the G string at fret 1. If that finger mutes the B string at fret 2, the chord loses its clear major third C#.
A → Amaj7 → A7, one hand, six strums each. Only the strings around the second and third move, and the open A keeps ringing through all three chords.
In real songs
Amaj7 in songs
None of the 90 songs charted on this site use Amaj7 yet — it is a colour chord rather than a songwriting staple.
What other ways can you play Amaj7 up the neck?
2 more positions below. Learn one of these well and the rest become optional. The value of a second position is practical: it keeps your fretting hand near where the song is already heading.
Position 2 · Fret 5 barre
Every note here is fretted, which means the shape transposes anywhere on the neck without changing your fingers.
The barre is the only hard part of this shape. Keep the bar finger straight and use the weight of your arm rather than the grip of your thumb.
Position 3 · Fret 7 barre
No open strings, so this is a movable shape: slide it up or down and the same fingering gives you a different chord name.
One bar does most of the work. Roll that finger onto its bony edge and pull the elbow slightly in — a barre that buzzes is almost always a position problem, not a strength problem.
The theory behind Amaj7
Amaj7 is spelled A – C# – E – G# — the 1 – 3 – 5 – 7 of the A scale, which is the root plus 4 semitones, 7 semitones, 11 semitones. A soft, jazzy chord heard all over neo-soul and bossa.
The major seventh sits a semitone under the octave, which is why it sounds soft rather than tense. On guitar it is usually the highest fretted note, so it is also the first note to disappear if your finger rolls off.
Amaj7 on other instruments
A – C# – E – G# — the highlighted black keys are the sharps or flats; play each note once, then move them into one hand position.
Take it to the practice room
