Fmaj7 Chord (F major 7th) on Guitar
Fmaj7 (F major 7th) is made of the notes F – A – C – E. The easiest guitar fingering is 102210 (low E to high e; x = muted, 0 = open). It needs 4 fingers and no barre.
Easiest shape
Alternative shape
Higher position
How to play Fmaj7
- Press the 6th string (low E) at fret 1 (F).
- Play the 5th string (A) open (A).
- Press the 4th string (D) at fret 2 (E).
- Press the 3rd string (G) at fret 2 (A).
- Press the 2nd string (B) at fret 1 (C).
- Play the 1st string (high e) open (E).
| String | Fret | Note | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6th string (low E) | 1 | F | R |
| 5th string (A) | 0 (open) | A | 3 |
| 4th string (D) | 2 | E | 7 |
| 3rd string (G) | 2 | A | 3 |
| 2nd string (B) | 1 | C | 5 |
| 1st string (high e) | 0 (open) | E | 7 |
What is a F major 7th chord?
A major 7th chord adds a major seventh, one half step below the root, on top of a major triad.
Notes and formula. Fmaj7 contains F, A, C, E. Counted from the root F, that is R (root), 3 (major 3rd), 5 (perfect 5th), 7 (major 7th).
Sound. Smooth, lush and slightly dreamy. It is a major chord with extra sophistication and none of the bluesy tension of a dominant 7th.
Where it is used. Common in soul, jazz, bossa nova, R&B, indie and acoustic pop, usually on the I and IV chords of a major key.
Tips for playing Fmaj7
Play it softly with your thumb or a light pick attack. Maj7 chords sound best when the notes ring together without being strummed hard.
Common mistake: Strumming every string with force. Some shapes include a close interval (a half step) between two strings that sounds harsh if hit too hard.
Keys that contain Fmaj7
Fmaj7 is a diatonic chord, meaning it occurs naturally without accidentals, in these keys:
Try it in a progression: browse chord progressions for every key.
Scales to play over Fmaj7
Related chords
Fmaj7 chord FAQ
What notes are in a Fmaj7 chord?
Fmaj7 (F major 7th) contains the notes F, A, C, E. The formula is R–3–5–7 relative to the root F.
How do you play Fmaj7 on guitar?
The most common shape for Fmaj7 is 102210, read from the low E string to the high e string (x = muted, 0 = open, numbers = frets). It needs 4 fingers and no barre.
Is Fmaj7 an easy guitar chord?
It is rated intermediate. It needs 4 fingers and no barre.
Which keys contain Fmaj7?
Fmaj7 is a diatonic chord in C major (IV), F major (I), A minor (VI), D minor (III).
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