The A Minor Major 7th chord is a four-note chord made up of A, C, E, and G♯. It is built from a root, minor third, perfect fifth, and major seventh.
Construction
A Minor Major 7th = Root + Minor 3rd + Perfect 5th + Major 7th = A · C · E · G♯
| Note | Interval | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| A | Root | 1 |
| C | Minor 3rd | ♭3 |
| E | Perfect 5th | 5 |
| G♯ | Major 7th | 7 |
A Minor 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 Minor Major 7th is the tonic (i) chord of A Minor, which shares the signature of its relative major, C Major — no sharps or flats.
Chords in the Key of A Minor
These are the triads built on each degree of the A minor scale:
A Minor Major 7th — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the A Minor Major 7th chord on piano?
The A Minor 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 Minor Major 7th chord?
AmMaj7 contains: A, C, E, G#. Minor triad with major seventh.
How does AmMaj7 differ from Am7?
AmMaj7 has G# (major seventh), Am7 has G (minor seventh).
How is AmMaj7 used in music?
Harmonic minor i chord. The Am → AmMaj7 → Am7 → Am6 descent is heard in Stairway to Heaven and My Funny Valentine. One of the most famous uses of this chord.
What songs use Minor Major 7th?
Stairway to Heaven (Led Zeppelin) is the most famous example. My Funny Valentine. James Bond theme.
Why does it sound tense?
Minor third (C) and major seventh (G#) create dissonance.
How does AmMaj7 differ from Amaj7?
AmMaj7 has minor third (C). Amaj7 has major third (C#).