F Minor Major 7th
Hear the F Minor Major 7th chord played for you.
Fm(maj7)
F – A♭ – C – E
Formula:R-m3-P5-M7
Intervals:P1-m3-P5-M7
Scale Degrees:1-b3-5-7
Introduction
The F Minor Major 7th chord is a four-note chord made up of F, A♭, C, and E. It is built from a root, minor third, perfect fifth, and major seventh.
The F Minor Major 7th piano chord (FmMaj7) consists of the notes F, Ab, C, E. 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
F Minor Major 7th Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | F – Ab – C – E |
| 1st Inversion | Ab – C – E – F |
| 2nd Inversion | C – E – F – Ab |
| 3rd Inversion | F – Ab – C – E |
Key Signature
The key of F Minor Major 7th has 4 flats.
B♭E♭A♭D♭
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 F Minor
These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the F minor scale:
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
i — F Minor (minor)
Theory: Intervals
Formula: R-m3-P5-M7
Intervals: P1-m3-P5-M7
The F 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.
F Minor Major 7th — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the F Minor Major 7th chord?
FmMaj7 contains: F, Ab, C, E. Minor triad with major seventh.
How does FmMaj7 differ from Fm7?
FmMaj7 has E (major seventh), Fm7 has Eb (minor seventh).
How is FmMaj7 used in music?
Harmonic minor i chord. Jazz, film noir, classical.
What songs use Minor Major 7th?
James Bond, My Funny Valentine.
Why does it sound tense?
Minor third (Ab) and major seventh (E) create dissonance.
How does FmMaj7 differ from Fmaj7?
FmMaj7 has minor third (Ab). Fmaj7 has major third (A).
Practice Tips
- Play Fm then add E — dramatic tension.
- Descending line: Fm → FmMaj7 → Fm7 → Fm6.
- Compare with Fm7.
- Harmonic minor i chord.
- The Ab–E interval creates tension.
- Jazz and classical applications.
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.