A Major 7th
Amaj7
Notes
A · C♯ · E · G♯
Intervals
- RootA (1P)
- Major 3rdC♯ (3M)
- Perfect 5thE (5P)
- Major 7thG♯ (7M)
Fretboard
Adjust labels, frets, and palette in the interactive view.
Voicings & shapes
Drop-2 voicings (12)
Drop-3 voicings (8)
Shell voicings (2)
About
The A major 7th (A–C♯–E–G♯) adds a major seventh to the major triad. Unlike the dominant 7 there is no tritone — the G♯ sits a half step below the root, creating a gentle, unresolved shimmer rather than a strong directional pull. This makes maj7 a tonic or subdominant color, used to add sophistication without urgency. The major 7th interval itself is the defining tone; the fifth can be omitted. On guitar, shell voicings (1–3–7) are efficient and common in jazz. The half step between G♯ and the root is part of the appeal — a tension that does not demand resolution. Compared to A7, maj7 is relaxed and expansive; compared to A, more harmonically lit-from-within.
Chord diagrams
A Major 7th voicing charts — tap a sheet to open it full size to save or print.
Similar chords
Chords sharing two or more notes with this one, ranked by overlap.
Scales containing this chord
- A Lydian (I)
- A Major (I)
- A♭ Locrian (II)
- A♭ Phrygian (II)
- B Dorian (VII)
- B Mixolydian (VII)
- D Lydian (V)
- D♭ Harmonic Minor (VI)
- D♭ Natural Minor (VI)
- D♭ Phrygian (VI)
- E Major (IV)
- E Mixolydian (IV)
- E♭ Locrian (V)
- F♯ Dorian (III)
- F♯ Natural Minor (III)
Scales whose notes include every chord tone. The Roman numeral (or scale degree) marks the chord root’s position in the scale.