Major seventh
Eleven semitones, one below the octave. Very tense: the ear wants to resolve to the octave.
11 semitones Symbol M7 Dissonance
Listen
See
C B
E
B M7
G
D 0
A
E
0 1234567
C → B
Where you have heard it
Ascending
Take On Me chorus leap
Bali Hai opening
Descending
I Love You (Cole Porter) opening notes
What it gets confused with
Frequently asked
How many semitones is a major seventh?
Eleven, for example between C and B.
How do I recognise it by ear?
It is the leap into the chorus of "Take On Me" — it sounds like an octave that fell one step short.
Where does it show up in harmony?
It is the seventh of the major seventh chord, which is why that chord sounds soft and unresolved rather than pushing anywhere.
There is an exercise track dedicated to recognising this by ear.
Train this