The A Major 7th chord is a four-note chord made up of A, C♯, E, and G♯. It is built from a root, major third, perfect fifth, and major seventh.
Construction
A Major 7th = Root + Major 3rd + Perfect 5th + Major 7th = A · C♯ · E · G♯
| Note | Interval | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| A | Root | 1 |
| C♯ | Major 3rd | 3 |
| E | Perfect 5th | 5 |
| G♯ | Major 7th | 7 |
A Major 7th Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | A – C♯ – E – G♯ |
| 1st Inversion | C♯ – E – G♯ – A |
| 2nd Inversion | E – G♯ – A – C♯ |
| 3rd Inversion | G♯ – A – C♯ – E |
Key Signature
A chord has no key signature of its own, but the A Major 7th is the tonic (I) chord of A Major, whose key signature has 3 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯).
F♯C♯G♯
Order of sharps
Sharps are added to a key signature in a fixed order. Each new sharp key adds the next sharp on the list.
F♯C♯G♯D♯A♯E♯B♯
Mnemonic: Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle
Chords in the Key of A Major
These are the triads built on each degree of the A major scale:
How A Major 7th functions in a key
The same chord takes on a different harmonic role depending on the key it appears in. Here is where A Major 7th sits diatonically across the common keys:
- In A major, A Major 7th is the I chord — the tonic.
- In C♯ minor, A Major 7th is the VI chord — the tonic.
- In E major, A Major 7th is the IV chord — a predominant.
- In F♯ minor, A Major 7th is the III chord — a mediant / color chord.
A Major 7th — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the A Major 7th chord on piano?
The A Major 7th chord contains the notes A – C♯ – E – G♯. On piano, play these notes together to sound the chord.
What notes are in the A Major 7th chord?
The A Major 7th chord (Amaj7) contains four notes: A (root), C# (major third), E (perfect fifth), and G# (major seventh). The major seventh gives this chord its warm, dreamy, sophisticated character.
How does A Major 7th differ from A Dominant 7th?
Both contain A, C#, and E. The difference is the seventh: Amaj7 has G# (major seventh) while A7 has G (minor seventh). Amaj7 sounds lush and at rest; A7 sounds tense and drives toward D Major.
How is A Major 7th used in music?
Amaj7 is the I chord in jazz harmony in A Major. It appears in folk-jazz, singer-songwriter, and pop. A Major is a common key for acoustic music and ballads, making Amaj7 a natural choice for adding warmth to simple progressions.
What genres commonly use Major 7th chords?
Major 7th chords are foundational in jazz, bossa nova, neo-soul, R&B, city pop, and lo-fi hip-hop. They also appear in classical impressionism and sophisticated pop. The dreamy quality is a signature of harmonically rich music.
What songs use Major 7th chords?
Major 7th chords appear in The Girl from Ipanema (Jobim), Don't Know Why (Norah Jones), and countless jazz standards. Stevie Wonder's catalogue is filled with major 7th voicings across many keys including A Major.
Can I substitute A Major 7th for A Major?
Yes — Amaj7 can replace A Major for added colour. The exception is when the melody sits on A, since the G#–A semitone can clash. In pop and acoustic music, this substitution adds instant sophistication.