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A major 7 guitar chords

A - C# - E - G#

Chord Theory

A major 7 chords consist of the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th notes of the A Major Scale.

  • A Major Scale: A - B - C# - D - E - F# - G#
  • Chord: A major seventh - written as Amaj7 or A∆7
  • Formula: 1 - 3 - 5 - 7
  • Notes: A - C# - E - G#

Amaj7 (A Δ 7 ) - A major seventh (1-3-5-7)

Spelling: 1st(A), 3rd(C#), 5th(E), 7th(G#)

Chart Legend Numbered Circles: number inside circle indicates which finger to use
X: Don't play string
White Numbered Circles: Optional Notes
X on string with optional note: if you omit the note, don't play string
Unmarked strings: Play open
Barre Line: One finger holds down multiple strings
R: Root Note


TAB: Numbers represent frets - not finger positions
Blank Strings: Do not Play
0: play string open
1st

Written: x02120
Notes: x-A-E-G#-C#-E
Open chord shape: Amaj7


 TAB     e |-0-|
         B |-2-|
         G |-1-|
         D |-2-|
         A |-0-|
         E |---|

2nd

Written: x07654
Notes: x-A-A-C#-E-G#
Open chord shape: Gmaj7


 TAB     e |-4-|
         B |-5-|
         G |-6-|
         D |-7-|
         A |-0-|
         E |---|

3rd

Written: x(12)-12-11-9-9-9
Notes: x(E)-A-C#-E-G#-C#
Open chord shape:


 TAB     e |-9--|
         B |-9--|
         G |-9--|
         D |-11-|
         A |-12-|
         E |(12)|

🡇 A major 7 chords


Notes

In the 3rd position, the chord is written (x/12)-12-11-9-9-9, while the notes are written (x/E) - A - C# - E - G# - E. This simply takes into account the optional note, which is the number/letter after the forward slash (/). We also separate double digits with a hyphen so as not to create confusion, otherwise the chord above would be written (x/12)1211999, which is too confusing - which fret belongs to which string? etc.

maj7 chords are often used in jazz music and less in mainstream music, however when used cleverly, they can enhance a piece tremendously. The Amaj7 - 3rd position is a little difficult at first, but when you master it, what a sound!... if you can play it with the optional note, you are doing very well.

Standard keys using the Amaj7 chord: A Major, E Major, F#m, and C#m. Each of the minor keys is the relative minor of the major keys, i.e., A/F#m, E/C#m. If you are playing songs in any of these keys, you may come across an Amaj7 chord.

Practice: If you want to practice playing a song with Amaj7 chords, you may like to try any of the following:

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