C#maj7 Guitar Chord

C#maj7 is the C sharp major seventh chord. It has four notes: C♯, F, G♯ and C, which read more naturally in its other spelling, Dbmaj7: D♭, F, A♭ and C. There is no open shape, but the standard grip is a compact, movable four finger shape at the 4th fret, with no barre.

The movable maj7 grip with its root on the A string, played at the 4th fret. Four fingertips, no barre. Slide it down two frets and the same shape is Bmaj7.

How to play C#maj7, step by step

Index finger: 4th fret, A string
Middle finger: 5th fret, G string
Ring finger: 6th fret, D string
Pinky finger: 6th fret, B string
Strum from the A string down, skipping the low E. The high E string stays muted; let the nearest fretting finger touch it lightly.

More ways to play C#maj7

There are 2 common C#maj7 shapes in total: the standard one at the top of the page, plus these, easiest first. You only ever need one. Tap any card to hear it.

C#maj7 guitar chord diagram, compact, frets 9 to 10, played 9 x 10 10 9 x — Compact, frets 9 to 10

If some strings die

G string gets squeezed out: The middle finger at the 5th fret sits between two fingers a fret higher. Keep it on its very tip so the ring finger and pinky do not push it off balance.
Stray open strings ring: Neither E string belongs in this voicing. Start the strum at the A string and let the pinky's side rest gently on the high E.
Notes buzz when you move the shape: All four fingers must land together, just behind their frets. Practise lifting the whole grip off and placing it down as one unit.

What makes it a C#maj7

C♯ · F · G♯ · C 1 3 5 7

C#maj7 is a major seventh chord: a major triad plus a major seventh one half step below the root. That half step gap is what makes maj7 chords sound soft and suspended rather than plain. C#maj7 is the I chord of C sharp major and the IV chord of A flat major. In print you will usually meet it as Dbmaj7, since D flat is the friendlier way to write this key, and it is a favourite home chord in jazz and soul tunes.

C# vs C#maj7

C sharp major has three notes; C#maj7 adds the major seventh. On guitar both live in barre or movable territory, but the standard C#maj7 shape here needs no barre at all, only four fingertips, so many players find the maj7 the easier of the two. The plain major sounds firm and bright; the maj7 melts the edges off it.

C#maj7 chord questions

Are C#maj7 and Dbmaj7 the same chord?

Yes. C♯ and D♭ are one pitch with two names. Charts in flat keys write Dbmaj7, charts in sharp keys write C#maj7. The shapes and sound are identical.

Is C#maj7 hard to play?

Moderate. There is no open shape, but neither voicing on this page needs a barre. The main work is fretting four close fingers cleanly.

What is the difference between C#maj7 and C#7?

The seventh. C#7 uses B natural and sounds tense and pushing; C#maj7 uses B♯ (the same pitch as C) and sounds smooth and settled. One fret apart, completely different jobs.

Why is the seventh of C#maj7 written as C?

Strict theory spells it B♯, since the key of C sharp uses each letter once. B♯ and C are the same pitch, and chord diagrams usually print the simpler name.

What keys use C#maj7?

It is the I chord of C sharp (D flat) major and the IV chord of A flat major, both common jazz and soul keys.