A♭ Major 7th Chord

– – –

Formula R – 3 – 5 – 7

Summary

A♭ Major 7th is built from the notes A♭, C, E♭, G. The interval from A♭ to C is a major 3rd (4 semitones), from A♭ to E♭ is a perfect 5th (7 semitones), from A♭ to G is a major 7th (11 semitones). This chord contains 2 flatted notes.

The major 7th chord adds a dreamy, sophisticated shimmer to the basic major triad. It's that lush, floating sound you hear in bossa nova and jazz ballads — warm and resolved, but with just enough tension to keep things interesting.

Theory

Built by stacking a major third, a minor third, and another major third (R, 3, 5, 7), the major 7th naturally lives on the 1st and 4th degrees of the major scale. The half-step between the major 7th and the root gives it a subtle dissonance that sets it apart from a plain major chord — elegant rather than simple.

On the guitar

Cmaj7 and Fmaj7 are two of the most beautiful open voicings on guitar, and they're easy shapes too. Using the CAGED system, you can move all five major 7th shapes (C, A, G, E, D forms) up and down the neck to cover any key. Jazz guitarists strip these down to shell voicings — just root, 3rd, and 7th — which sound clean and work great for comping behind a singer or soloist.

Advanced

In jazz and neo-soul, major 7ths replace plain major chords almost everywhere: if the chart says C, you play Cmaj7. One important rule: never play a major 7th on the 5th chord of the key — that's dominant 7th territory, and a maj7 there will sound immediately wrong. Try Drop 2 voicings on the middle four strings for a warm, professional sound that cuts through a band mix without being harsh.

Piano