A Minor Major 7th
Hear the A Minor Major 7th chord played for you.
Am(maj7)
A – C – E – G♯
Formula:R-m3-P5-M7
Intervals:P1-m3-P5-M7
Scale Degrees:1-b3-5-7
Introduction
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.
The A Minor Major 7th piano chord (AmMaj7) consists of the notes A, C, E, G#. It is a minor triad with an added major 7th, giving it a dark and complex character with strong tension, often used in jazz and minor key progressions. Formula: R-m3-P5-M7 | Scale degrees: 1-b3-5-7.
Notes
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 | A – C – E – G♯ |
Key Signature
The key of A Minor Major 7th has no sharps or flats. Every note is natural, which makes it the easiest key signature to read on the staff.
Chords in the Key of A Minor
These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the A minor scale:
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
i — A Minor (minor)
Theory: Intervals
Formula: R-m3-P5-M7
Intervals: P1-m3-P5-M7
The A Minor 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 Minor Major 7th — Frequently Asked Questions
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#).
Practice Tips
- Play Am then add G# — the Stairway to Heaven sound.
- The descending line Am → AmMaj7 → Am7 → Am6 is one of the most famous in rock history.
- Compare with Am7 — one semitone transforms smooth into dramatic.
- AmMaj7 is probably the most commonly heard mMaj7 chord.
- Harmonic minor i chord in A.
- The C–G# interval is the tension source.
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.