Chord chart for CM7 Guitar Chord (C major 7th): Notes, Shapes & How to Play | Guitar Wiz

C major 7th guitar shapes

Popular fretboard positions with fingering suggestions

Showing 8 of 138 playable shapes

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C major 7th guitar chord diagram showing fretboard positions

About the chord

C major 7th guitar chord

CM7 is the C major 7th guitar chord. It uses the notes C, E, G, and B and the interval formula 1-3-5-7.

The C major 7th major 7th chord, combining the root (C major 7th), major third E, perfect fifth G, and major seventh B, produces a lush, dreamy quality. The close interval between the fifth G and seventh B adds a jazzy, sophisticated color, often conveying nostalgia, romance, or serenity.

Also written as Cmaj7.

Root note: C
Quality: major 7th
Chord tones: 4
Playable shapes: 138

Chord tones

CEGB

Common guitar voicings

These are quick-start shapes for players who want the answer first and the deeper theory second.

Shape x32000

x32000

View shape
  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string.
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 3rd fret of the 5th string.
  3. 3 Let the third, second, and first strings ring open.
  4. 4 Strum from the 5th string down.

Shape x32003

x32003

View shape
  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string.
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 3rd fret of the 5th string.
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 3rd fret of the 1st string.
  4. 4 Let the third and second strings ring open.
  5. 5 Strum from the 5th string down.

Notes & Intervals

Each note below shows how the chord is built from its root. This is the theory layer underneath the fretboard shapes.

C Unison (Root) 1

The root anchors the chord and defines its tonal center.

E Major Third 3

This note defines the chord's major quality and brings brightness to the sound.

G Perfect Fifth 5

The fifth reinforces stability and gives the chord its strong harmonic frame.

B Major Seventh 7

The major seventh adds a smooth, lush tension close to the root.

Shape details

Every shape is shown with its diagram and exact fingering instructions.

C major 7th shape x32000

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 3rd fret of the 5th string
  3. 3 Let the third, second, and first strings ring open
  4. 4 Do not play the sixth string
  5. 5 Strum from the fifth string down to the first string

C major 7th shape x32003

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 3rd fret of the 5th string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 3rd fret of the 1st string
  4. 4 Let the third and second strings ring open
  5. 5 Do not play the sixth string
  6. 6 Strum from the fifth string down to the first string

C major 7th shape x32400

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 3rd fret of the 5th string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 4th fret of the 3rd string
  4. 4 Let the second and first strings ring open
  5. 5 Do not play the sixth string
  6. 6 Strum from the fifth string down to the first string

C major 7th shape x35453

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 3rd fret of the 1st string and 5th string in barre position
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 4th fret of the 3rd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 5th fret of the 4th string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 5th fret of the 2nd string
  5. 5 Do not play the sixth string
  6. 6 Strum from the fifth string down to the first string

C major 7th shape x35000

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 3rd fret of the 5th string
  2. 2 Place the 3rd finger on the 5th fret of the 4th string
  3. 3 Let the third, second, and first strings ring open
  4. 4 Do not play the sixth string
  5. 5 Strum from the fifth string down to the first string

C major 7th shape x35400

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 3rd fret of the 5th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 4th fret of the 3rd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 5th fret of the 4th string
  4. 4 Let the second and first strings ring open
  5. 5 Do not play the sixth string
  6. 6 Strum from the fifth string down to the first string

C major 7th shape x35500

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 3rd fret of the 5th string
  2. 2 Place the 3rd finger on the 5th fret of the 4th string
  3. 3 Place the 4th finger on the 5th fret of the 3rd string
  4. 4 Let the second and first strings ring open
  5. 5 Do not play the sixth string
  6. 6 Strum from the fifth string down to the first string

C major 7th shape x35450

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 3rd fret of the 5th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 4th fret of the 3rd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 5th fret of the 4th string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 5th fret of the 2nd string
  5. 5 Let the first string ring open
  6. 6 Do not play the sixth string
  7. 7 Strum from the fifth string down to the first string

Quick answers

What notes are in CM7?

CM7 uses the notes C, E, G, and B. Its interval formula is 1-3-5-7.

What is another name for CM7?

CM7 is also written as Cmaj7.

How do you play CM7 on guitar?

Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string. Place the 2nd finger on the 3rd fret of the 5th string. Let the third, second, and first strings ring open. Strum from the 5th string down.

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