The short version
- C♯maj7 is C sharp major seventh, also written D♭maj7. Its notes are C♯, E♯ (sounds as F), G♯ and B♯ (sounds as C) (formula 1 – 3 – 5 – 7).
- Easiest way to play it: a barre on the 4th fret, frets x 4 6 5 6 4 from low E to high E (x = don’t play).
- It sounds dreamy, jazzy, sunset-in-a-convertible. Swap it in for any I or IV chord in a major key when the song needs to sound expensive.
- C♯maj7 turns up in 4 keys: D♭ major (as the Imaj7), A♭ major (as the IVmaj7), B♭ minor (as the IIImaj7) and F minor (as the VImaj7).
- Can’t barre yet? Capo 1 and play an open Cmaj7 shape.
How to play C♯maj7 on guitar, step by step
Start with the shape marked “Start here” above: the barre chord, root on the 5th string (4th fret).
- Lay your index finger flat across fret 4, from the 5th (A) string to the 1st (high E) string. That’s the barre: press near the fret wire and roll the finger slightly onto its side.
- Put your middle finger on fret 5 of the 3rd (G) string.
- Put your ring finger on fret 6 of the 4th (D) string.
- Put your little finger on fret 6 of the 2nd (B) string.
- Don’t play the low E string: skip it, or touch it lightly with a spare finger so it can’t ring.
- Strum from the 5th (A) string down, then press Strum on this page to check it sounds the same.
Once that’s comfy, try the other shape. Shape 2 is the movable shape, root on the 6th string (9th fret): 9 x 10 10 9 x. Same chord, different spot on the neck, which helps when the next chord lives nearby.
No barre? No problem. Pop a capo on the 1st fret and play the open Cmaj7 shape: it comes out as C♯maj7. (Capo 4 with an open Amaj7 shape works too.) Barre chords take everyone a few weeks. Mine sounded like a kettle for a month.
Notes in the C♯maj7 chord
C♯maj7 is built from 4 notes. On guitar you’ll often play some of them twice, on different strings. That’s normal; the chord is still C♯maj7.
| Note | Interval | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| C♯ | 1 root | Names the chord and anchors the bass. |
| E♯ (sounds as F) | 3 major third | Makes it major (happy). |
| G♯ | 5 perfect fifth | Adds weight; often the first note left out. |
| B♯ (sounds as C) | 7 major seventh | The dreamy, jazzy shimmer. |
What C♯maj7 sounds like, and when to use it
A major chord plus the major seventh, which sits a semitone below the root. Dreamy and a bit wistful. City pop, neo-soul, bossa nova and bedroom pop can’t get enough. Swap it in for any I or IV chord in a major key when the song needs to sound expensive.
What key is C♯maj7 in?
C♯maj7 turns up in 4 keys: D♭ major (as the Imaj7), A♭ major (as the IVmaj7), B♭ minor (as the IIImaj7) and F minor (as the VImaj7). Tap a key to see the rest of its chords on the circle of fifths.
| Key | Numeral | Spelled as |
|---|---|---|
| D♭ major | Imaj7 | D♭maj7 |
| A♭ major | IVmaj7 | D♭maj7 |
| B♭ minor | IIImaj7 | D♭maj7 |
| F minor | VImaj7 | D♭maj7 |
Chords that go with C♯maj7
Here’s a progression to try: C♯maj7 – F♯maj7 – C♯maj7 – F♯maj7 (Imaj7–IVmaj7), a two-chord dream-pop vamp you can loop forever.
More progressions → Transpose it →
Using C♯maj7 in a Suno prompt
Suno pays attention to chord names in a style prompt, at least some of the time. Put the progression in, keep the BPM, and let it fill in the rest. Then compare its guitar part with the shapes above.
City pop, 98 BPM, chord progression C♯maj7 – F♯maj7 – C♯maj7 – F♯maj7, jazzy major seventh chords, clean chorus guitar, Rhodes, slap bass, dreamy and nostalgic
C♯maj7 chord FAQ
What notes are in the C#maj7 chord?
C♯maj7 has 4 notes: C♯ (the root), E♯ (sounds as F) (the major third), G♯ (the perfect fifth) and B♯ (sounds as C) (the major seventh). The chord formula is 1 – 3 – 5 – 7.
How do you play C#maj7 on guitar?
The medium way is barre chord, root on the 5th string (4th fret). Strings from low E to high E: x 4 6 5 6 4 (x means don’t play that string). Lay your index finger flat across fret 4, from the 5th (A) string to the 1st (high E) string. That’s the barre: press near the fret wire and roll the finger slightly onto its side. Put your middle finger on fret 5 of the 3rd (G) string. Put your ring finger on fret 6 of the 4th (D) string. Put your little finger on fret 6 of the 2nd (B) string. Don’t play the low E string: skip it, or touch it lightly with a spare finger so it can’t ring.
Is C#maj7 the same as Dbmaj7?
Yes. C♯maj7 and D♭maj7 are the same chord with the same fingering. They are just spelled differently. You’ll see C♯maj7 in sharp keys and D♭maj7 in flat keys.
What key is C#maj7 in?
C♯maj7 turns up in 4 keys: D♭ major (as the Imaj7), A♭ major (as the IVmaj7), B♭ minor (as the IIImaj7) and F minor (as the VImaj7). Major keys: D♭ major, A♭ major. Minor keys: B♭ minor, F minor.
What is the difference between C#maj7 and C#7?
C♯maj7 adds the major seventh (B♯), a semitone below the root, so it sounds soft and dreamy. C♯7 adds the flat seventh (B), which sounds bluesy and wants to move on.
How can I play C#maj7 without a barre?
Use a capo. Put it on the 1st fret and play the open Cmaj7 shape or Put it on the 4th fret and play the open Amaj7 shape. It sounds as C♯maj7. You can also play just the top three or four strings of the barre shape.
Other major 7th chords
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