Major seventh
Major triad with a major seventh, a semitone from the octave. Consonant with brightness, without dominant tension.
Symbol ∆ · C∆ Four notes
Listen
Notes of the chord
1 C M3 E P5 G M7 B
C E G B
Where you have heard it
Tônica no jazz and in bossa nova
What it gets confused with
Frequently asked
Which notes make a major seventh chord?
A major triad plus a major seventh — for example C, E, G and B.
Why does it sound so calm?
It has no tritone. The seventh sits one semitone under the octave, which colours the chord without pushing it anywhere.
Where does it turn up?
As the tonic in jazz and bossa nova, where a plain triad would sound bare.
There is an exercise track dedicated to recognising this by ear.
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