Guitar chord · Intermediate (barre)
C sharp major 7th chord (C♯maj7) — guitar chord chart
C♯maj7 is a major 7th chord built on C♯. Its notes are C♯, E♯, G♯, B♯. The major 7th, a half step under the root, gives a soft, dreamy shimmer heard in jazz, soul, bossa nova and lo-fi. It’s also written D♭maj7.
C♯maj7 chord charts
Numbers = fingers (1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little). ○ open string, × don’t play. Low E string on the left.
How to play C♯maj7
- Lay your index finger flat across fret 4, from the 5th string to the 1st string (the barre).
- Ring (3) on the 4th string, fret 6 (A♭).
- Middle (2) on the 3rd string, fret 5 (C).
- Little finger (4) on the 2nd string, fret 6 (F).
- Strum from the 5th string down; don’t play string 6.
- Pick the strings one at a time: each note should ring clearly — if one buzzes, move that finger closer to the fret.
No barre yet? Put a capo on fret 1 and play the open Cmaj7 shape — it sounds as C♯maj7. Work out other positions with the capo calculator.
Notes in C♯maj7
| Degree | Note | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | C♯ | root |
| 3 | E♯ | major 3rd |
| 5 | G♯ | perfect 5th |
| 7 | B♯ | major 7th |
Progressions with C♯maj7
Drill these changes with the chord-change trainer and read how to change chords faster.
FAQ
- What notes are in the C♯maj7 chord?
- C♯maj7 (C sharp major 7th) has 4 notes: C♯, E♯, G♯, B♯.
- Is C♯maj7 hard to play?
- It’s a barre chord, but with a capo on fret 1 you can use the open Cmaj7 shape instead. Expect a few weeks of practice for a clean barre.
- What’s the difference between C♯maj7 and C♯?
- C♯ is C♯ E♯ G♯. The major 7th, a half step under the root, gives a soft, dreamy shimmer heard in jazz, soul, bossa nova and lo-fi.
- Is C♯maj7 the same as D♭maj7?
- Yes — they sound the same (enharmonic equivalents). Which name is used depends on the key of the song; the fingerings are identical.