G Major 7th
Hear the G Major 7th chord played for you.
Gmaj7
G – B – D – F♯
Formula:R-M3-P5-M7
Intervals:P1-M3-P5-M7
Scale Degrees:1-3-5-7
Introduction
The G Major 7th chord is a four-note chord made up of G, B, D, and F♯. It is built from a root, major third, perfect fifth, and major seventh.
The G Major 7th piano chord (Gmaj7) consists of the notes G, B, D, F#. 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
G Major 7th Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | G – B – D – F# |
| 1st Inversion | B – D – F# – G |
| 2nd Inversion | D – F# – G – B |
| 3rd Inversion | G – B – D – F# |
Key Signature
The key of G Major 7th has 1 sharp.
F♯
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 G Major
These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the G major scale:
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
I — G Major (major)
Theory: Intervals
Formula: R-M3-P5-M7
Intervals: P1-M3-P5-M7
The G 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.
G Major 7th — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the G Major 7th chord?
The G Major 7th chord (Gmaj7) contains four notes: G (root), B (major third), D (perfect fifth), and F# (major seventh). The major seventh gives this chord its warm, dreamy, resolved quality.
How does G Major 7th differ from G Dominant 7th?
Both contain G, B, and D. The difference is the seventh: Gmaj7 has F# (major seventh) while G7 has F (minor seventh). Gmaj7 sounds lush and settled; G7 sounds tense and wants to resolve to C Major.
How is G Major 7th used in music?
Gmaj7 is the I chord in jazz harmony in G Major and the IV chord in D Major. G Major is one of the most common keys in popular music, making Gmaj7 one of the most frequently used major 7th chords in folk-jazz, singer-songwriter, and acoustic music.
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. Gmaj7 is especially common in acoustic and folk-influenced jazz.
Can I substitute G Major 7th for G Major?
Yes — Gmaj7 can replace G Major for added sophistication. The exception is when the melody sits on G, since the F#–G semitone can create a clash. As the IV chord in D Major, Gmaj7 is a particularly beautiful substitution.
Practice Tips
- Play G Major then add F# — hear the dreamy warmth that transforms a simple triad into a jazz chord.
- Compare Gmaj7 with G7 — one semitone (F# vs F) makes the difference between home and departure. Gmaj7 rests; G7 drives to C.
- Practice Gmaj7 in the jazz ii–V–I: Am7 → D7 → Gmaj7. G Major is a very common jazz key for this progression.
- Gmaj7 is the IV chord in D Major — try Dmaj7 → Gmaj7 for a beautiful, warm two-chord vamp common in folk-jazz.
- Try spread voicings: G–D–F#–B for a more spacious, modern sound that works in contemporary arrangements.
- Gmaj7 has a distinctive physical shape — three white keys plus one black key (F#). Use the tactile feel as a memory anchor.
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.