C Minor Major 7th
Hear the C Minor Major 7th chord played for you.
Cm(maj7)
C – E♭ – G – B
Formula:R-m3-P5-M7
Intervals:P1-m3-P5-M7
Scale Degrees:1-b3-5-7
Introduction
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.
The C Minor Major 7th piano chord (CmMaj7) consists of the notes C, Eb, G, B. 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
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 | C – E♭ – G – B |
Key Signature
The key of C Minor Major 7th has 3 flats.
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 diatonic triads built on each degree of the C minor scale:
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
i — C Minor (minor)
Theory: Intervals
Formula: R-m3-P5-M7
Intervals: P1-m3-P5-M7
The C 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.
C Minor Major 7th — Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Practice Tips
- Play Cm then add B — hear the dramatic tension the major 7th creates over a minor triad.
- The classic descending line: Cm → CmMaj7 → Cm7 → Cm6 (only the top note moves: G–B–Bb–A). This is one of the most famous chord movements in music.
- Compare CmMaj7 with Cm7 — one semitone (B vs Bb) transforms smooth into dramatic.
- CmMaj7 is the sound of film noir and spy themes — play it and you'll hear James Bond.
- Practice CmMaj7 as the i chord in C harmonic minor.
- The Eb–B interval (augmented 5th) is the source of the tension — play just those two notes.
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