Left Handers
Choose the maj7 chord you want to play, e.g., if you want to play F#maj7, the root note is F#. As the root note is on the 6th string, it is located on the 2nd and 14th frets. Place your finger on either fret on the 6th string and follow one of the above patterns from there.
The first chord has a nice flavor. An easy way to remember this chord is to pretend you are playing an Am shape with the root note on the 6th string determining the chord name, and omitting strings 1 & 5.
The second chord is an incredible stretch lower on the fretboard, and may only be suited to very few. It is much easier higher up the fretboard where frets are narrower... interesting sound.
Left Handers
The first chord is the most commonly used - a typical maj7 shape used with barre chords.
If you don't play the optional note, don't play the string.
The third example doesn't use a root note, but does include the 3rd, 5th and 7th notes of the chord. If you were playing Cmaj7, the chord would include the notes C - E - G - B (1, 3, 5, 7). Using the 3rd shape, you would be playing the notes E - G - B with the omission of the tonic, C. Although it has a discordant sound, it does come together nicely when played with other instruments. If you are looking for something a little more unusual sounding, this chord certainly ticks all the boxes.
Left Handers
The first shape is fairly common especially when playing Gmaj7 in the first position.
The second chord is very easy and extremely versatile... use it wherever you can. Play Gmaj7 on frets 2-5 using the first shape, and then play the same chord but this time following the second shape with the first finger(s) on the 5th fret (4th string). This is a great alternative if you find some chords a bit of a stretch as in the first position.
