A Major 7th
Hear the A Major 7th chord played for you.
Amaj7
A – C♯ – E – G♯
Formula:R-M3-P5-M7
Intervals:P1-M3-P5-M7
Scale Degrees:1-3-5-7
Introduction
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.
The A Major 7th piano chord (Amaj7) consists of the notes A, C#, E, G#. It is a major triad with an added major 7th, giving it a dreamy, sophisticated, and jazzy sound. Formula: R-M3-P5-M7 | Scale degrees: 1-3-5-7.
Notes
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 | A – C♯ – E – G♯ |
Key Signature
The key of A Major 7th has 3 sharps.
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 diatonic triads built on each degree of the A major scale:
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
I — A Major (major)
Theory: Intervals
Formula: R-M3-P5-M7
Intervals: P1-M3-P5-M7
The A Major 7th is built by stacking intervals from the root note. The formula R-M3-P5-M7 describes the scale degrees used. The intervals P1-M3-P5-M7 show the distance between each note in the chord.
A Major 7th — Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Practice Tips
- Play A Major then add G# — the major seventh transforms a bright major chord into something warmer and more complex.
- Compare Amaj7 with A7 — one semitone (G# vs G) changes the chord from restful to restless. Learn to hear this critical distinction.
- Practice the jazz ii–V–I in A: Bm7 → E7 → Amaj7. A Major is common in acoustic jazz and folk settings.
- Amaj7 is the IV chord in E Major — try Emaj7 → Amaj7 for a luminous two-chord vamp.
- Try spread voicings: A–E–G#–C# for a spacious, modern sound.
- Amaj7 has a satisfying physical shape on the keyboard — alternating white and black keys creates an even, balanced hand position.
Related Tools
Chord FinderLook up any chord — see the notes, hear it, and play along.Chord DrillTimed drills to build speed and recognition across all chord types.Practice RoomPlug in a MIDI keyboard and get real-time feedback on every chord and scale.Circle of FifthsVisualize key relationships, relative minors, and key signatures.MIDI MonitorLive MIDI message stream with note names, velocity, and a scrolling staff.