The short version
- Gmaj7 is G major seventh. Its notes are G, B, D and F♯ (formula 1 – 3 – 5 – 7).
- Easiest way to play it: the open shape, frets 3 2 0 0 0 2 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.
- Gmaj7 turns up in 4 keys: G major (as the Imaj7), D major (as the IVmaj7), E minor (as the IIImaj7) and B minor (as the VImaj7).
- Try it in: Gmaj7 – Cmaj7 – Gmaj7 – Cmaj7, a two-chord dream-pop vamp you can loop forever.
How to play Gmaj7 on guitar, step by step
Start with the shape marked “Start here” above: the open chord, the easiest way in.
- Put your index finger on fret 2 of the 5th (A) string.
- Put your middle finger on fret 2 of the 1st (high E) string.
- Put your ring finger on fret 3 of the 6th (low E) string.
- Let the D, G and B strings ring open.
- Strum from the 6th (low E) string down, then press Strum on this page to check it sounds the same.
Once that’s comfy, try the other 2 shapes. Shape 2 is the movable shape, root on the 6th string (3rd fret): 3 x 4 4 3 x. Shape 3 is the barre chord, root on the 5th string (10th fret): x 10 12 11 12 10. Same chord, different spot on the neck, which helps when the next chord lives nearby.
Buzzing? Press just behind the fret wire, not in the middle of the fret, and come down on your fingertips so they don’t touch the next string. Then press Strum and play along: if yours sounds duller, one string is muted somewhere.
Notes in the Gmaj7 chord
Gmaj7 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 Gmaj7.
| Note | Interval | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| G | 1 root | Names the chord and anchors the bass. |
| B | 3 major third | Makes it major (happy). |
| D | 5 perfect fifth | Adds weight; often the first note left out. |
| F♯ | 7 major seventh | The dreamy, jazzy shimmer. |
What Gmaj7 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 Gmaj7 in?
Gmaj7 turns up in 4 keys: G major (as the Imaj7), D major (as the IVmaj7), E minor (as the IIImaj7) and B minor (as the VImaj7). Tap a key to see the rest of its chords on the circle of fifths.
| Key | Numeral | Spelled as |
|---|---|---|
| G major | Imaj7 | Gmaj7 |
| D major | IVmaj7 | Gmaj7 |
| E minor | IIImaj7 | Gmaj7 |
| B minor | VImaj7 | Gmaj7 |
Chords that go with Gmaj7
Here’s a progression to try: Gmaj7 – Cmaj7 – Gmaj7 – Cmaj7 (Imaj7–IVmaj7), a two-chord dream-pop vamp you can loop forever.
More progressions → Transpose it →
Using Gmaj7 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 Gmaj7 – Cmaj7 – Gmaj7 – Cmaj7, jazzy major seventh chords, clean chorus guitar, Rhodes, slap bass, dreamy and nostalgic
Gmaj7 chord FAQ
What notes are in the Gmaj7 chord?
Gmaj7 has 4 notes: G (the root), B (the major third), D (the perfect fifth) and F♯ (the major seventh). The chord formula is 1 – 3 – 5 – 7.
How do you play Gmaj7 on guitar?
The easy way is open chord. Strings from low E to high E: 3 2 0 0 0 2 (x means don’t play that string). Put your index finger on fret 2 of the 5th (A) string. Put your middle finger on fret 2 of the 1st (high E) string. Put your ring finger on fret 3 of the 6th (low E) string. Let the D, G and B strings ring open.
What does the “maj7” in Gmaj7 mean?
It tells you the chord type: Gmaj7 is G major seventh. 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.
What key is Gmaj7 in?
Gmaj7 turns up in 4 keys: G major (as the Imaj7), D major (as the IVmaj7), E minor (as the IIImaj7) and B minor (as the VImaj7). Major keys: G major, D major. Minor keys: E minor, B minor.
What is the difference between Gmaj7 and G7?
Gmaj7 adds the major seventh (F♯), a semitone below the root, so it sounds soft and dreamy. G7 adds the flat seventh (F), which sounds bluesy and wants to move on.
What chords go well with Gmaj7?
Try Cmaj7, Am7, Bm7 and Em7. The progression Gmaj7 – Cmaj7 – Gmaj7 – Cmaj7 (Imaj7–IVmaj7) is a two-chord dream-pop vamp you can loop forever. Press Play progression on this page to hear it.
Other major 7th chords
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