Major Seventh Chords
Another chord type you will need to know is the major seventh. The major seventh chord symbol is maj7. Here are the six most common open chord shapes for maj7 chords.
C Major Seventh Chord
Cmaj7
To play the Cmaj7 chord, strum all six strings. Notice that the Cmaj7 chord shape is just a C chord shape with the first finger lifted off.
The following chord progression contains the C major seventh chord and uses sixteenth note strums in the third beat of the rhythm pattern. Use pivot fingers when changing between Cmaj7 to Am and F to G7.
F Major Seventh Chord
Fmaj7
To play the Fmaj7 chord, strum all six strings. The Fmaj7 chord shape is just an F chord without the F note on the 1st string.
The following chord progression contains Fmaj7 chords and uses sixteenth note Rhythm Pattern 11. Use a pivot finger when changing between Fmaj7 and Dm.
Dotted Eighth Notes
Another common sixteenth note timing is when a sixteenth note is played after a dotted eighth note, i.e.,
The dot placed after the eighth note lengthens the note by half its value. The dotted eighth note is equivalent to the duration of three sixteenth notes, i.e.:
This melody contains dotted eighth notes and is accompanied by the same chords as the previous example.
G Major Seventh Chord
Gmaj7
Strum all six strings to play this Gmaj7 chord shape. The X above the 5th string indicates that note is not in the chord and is deadened. In this chord shape the second finger of the left hand lightly touches the 5th string, which deadens it, so even when you strum the 5th string it makes no sound.
Apply sixteenth note Rhythm Pattern 8 to the following chord progression. Practice the chord progression using an easy rhythm pattern before using the suggested pattern.
A Major Seventh Chord
Amaj7
Strum all six strings. The Amaj7 chord shape is an A chord shape with the first finger playing the first fret instead of the second fret.
In the following progression, use your first finger as a slide between all chord changes. The first finger does not lose contact with the 3rd string throughout the entire progression. The two bar rhythm pattern combines quarter, eighth, sixteenth, and silent strums.
D Major Seventh Chord
Dmaj7
Strum only five strings. Use the first finger to bar all three notes on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd strings of the second fret.
Practice the chord changes with an easy rhythm pattern before using the suggested rhythm pattern.
E Major Seventh Chord
Emaj7
Strum all six strings. The Emaj7 chord shape is the same as the E chord shape except for the note on the 3 4th string.
The following chord progression contains all the major seventh chord shapes learned in this lesson. Practice this progression with an easy strum pattern first. Once you are confident with the chord changes, use the suggested rhythm pattern.
