How to Play a Major Seventh Chord on Guitar

The major seventh is a beautiful chord that should be part of every guitarist's repertoire. It is a very common chord in jazz as well as popular music. Here you will learn how to construct and play a major seventh chord on the guitar.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Guitar

1. Place your forefinger on the third fret of the sixth string (low E string). This is the note G, the root of the chord.

2. Rest your forefinger against the fifth string (A string) while fretting the G note in Step 1. This will make sure that the A string is muted when the chord is played. This is necessary because the A string is not used in the chord form.

3. Place your ring finger on the fourth fret of the fourth string (D string). This is the "major seventh" note. This note gives the chord its unique character.

4. Put your pinky finger on the fourth fret of the third string (G string). This is the note B, the third degree of the G major scale.

5. With your middle finger, press down on the third fret of the second string (B string). This note is D, the fifth degree of the G major scale.

6. Strum the chord. Play the notes in Steps 1 through 5 together in one sweeping motion. That's it; you now know how to play a major seventh chord on the guitar!

Tips & Warnings

• This is a movable chord form. You can play this chord beginning on any fret of the sixth string. That means you can now play a major seventh chord beginning on ANY possible note using this chord form!

[dengineer]

on 6/22/2009 Major 7ths are the best!!!