Julie Swihart

Major Seventh Chords

Let’s look at how to build a Bmaj7 chord on the piano. We’ll also learn the pattern for building any other major seventh chord.

What Are Major Seventh Chords?

A major seventh chord is a major chord with an added note. The added note is the seventh note of the matching major scale.

So to build a major seventh chord, we’ll start by building a major chord. Major chords are built using the first, third and fifth notes of the matching major scale.

Then to convert the major chord into a major seventh chord, we’ll add the seventh note of the matching major scale.

Chord Types Printable

Learn to play 17 types of piano chords using 12 different root notes with this 34-page PDF! Chords are sorted both by their root note (C, D, E, etc.) and type (major, minor, augmented, diminished, etc.).

Get the Printable

How to Play a Bmaj7 Chord

To build a Bmaj7 chord, we’ll start by building a B major chord. We can build a B major chord using the first, third and fifth notes of the B major scale: B – D♯ – F♯

Then to convert this chord into a major seventh chord, we’ll add the seventh note of the B major scale: A♯

So to play a Bmaj7 chord, we’ll play:

B – D♯ – F♯ – A♯

We can use this pattern to build any other major seventh chord, by first building a major chord, then adding the seventh note of the matching major scale!

Chord Fingering

To play this chord with your right hand, use fingers 1 – 2 – 3 – 5. With the left hand, use fingers 5 – 3 – 2 – 1 (thumbs are 1’s).

Other Seventh Chords

Since there are different types of seventh chords, it can help to compare their differences:

Seventh chords are major chords with an added note. The added note is the seventh note of the matching major scale, lowered 1/2 step.

So a B7 chord is: B – D♯ – F♯ – A

Major seventh chords are major chords with an added note. The added note is the seventh note of the matching major scale.

So a Bmaj7 chord is: B – D♯ – F♯ – A♯

Minor seventh chords are minor chords with an added note. The added note is the seventh note of the matching major scale, lowered 1/2 step.

So a Bm7 chord: B – D – F♯ – A

Conclusion

Now you know how to build a Bmaj7 chord on the piano, and you can use this pattern to build any other major seventh chord.

Chords are so much fun to use at the piano, and since there are many types of chords, there are lots of possibilities when playing creatively!