The C Minor Major 7th chord is a four-note chord made up of C, E♭, G, and B. It is built from a root, minor third, perfect fifth, and major seventh.
Construction
C Minor Major 7th = Root + Minor 3rd + Perfect 5th + Major 7th = C · E♭ · G · B
| Note | Interval | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| C | Root | 1 |
| E♭ | Minor 3rd | ♭3 |
| G | Perfect 5th | 5 |
| B | Major 7th | 7 |
C Minor Major 7th Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | C – E♭ – G – B |
| 1st Inversion | E♭ – G – B – C |
| 2nd Inversion | G – B – C – E♭ |
| 3rd Inversion | B – C – E♭ – G |
Key Signature
A chord has no key signature of its own, but the C Minor Major 7th is the tonic (i) chord of C Minor, which shares the signature of its relative major, Eb Major — 3 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭).
B♭E♭A♭
Order of flats
Flats are added in a fixed order — the reverse of the sharp order. Each new flat key adds the next flat on the list.
B♭E♭A♭D♭G♭C♭F♭
Mnemonic: Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles’ Father
Chords in the Key of C Minor
These are the triads built on each degree of the C minor scale:
C Minor Major 7th — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the C Minor Major 7th chord on piano?
The C Minor Major 7th chord contains the notes C – E♭ – G – B. On piano, play these notes together to sound the chord.
What notes are in the C Minor Major 7th chord?
CmMaj7 contains four notes: C (root), Eb (minor third), G (perfect fifth), and B (major seventh). It combines a minor triad with a major seventh — a rare and dramatic pairing that creates intense tension.
How does CmMaj7 differ from Cm7?
Both contain C, Eb, G. CmMaj7 has B (major seventh), Cm7 has Bb (minor seventh). That one semitone changes everything — CmMaj7 is dark and tense; Cm7 is smooth and settled.
How does CmMaj7 differ from Cmaj7?
CmMaj7 has a minor third (Eb). Cmaj7 has a major third (E). Both have a major seventh (B). CmMaj7 is dark and dramatic; Cmaj7 is warm and dreamy.
How is CmMaj7 used in music?
CmMaj7 is the i chord in harmonic minor harmony. It appears in James Bond themes, film noir, and jazz minor-key ballads. The descending chromatic bass line Cm → CmMaj7 → Cm7 → Cm6 is one of the most famous chord movements in music.
What songs use Minor Major 7th chords?
The James Bond theme uses minor-major 7th harmony. My Funny Valentine uses the descending chromatic minor line. Stairway to Heaven (Led Zeppelin) features the Am → AmMaj7 → Am7 descent.
Why does CmMaj7 sound so tense?
The minor third (Eb) and major seventh (B) are only a semitone apart when inverted. This close dissonance creates the chord's dramatic, mysterious quality — dark yet with a sharp, piercing edge.