C major seventh
Cmaj7 Piano Voicings
Cmaj7 is the I chord of a C major ii-V-I (Dm7–G7–Cmaj7) and the most common resting chord in jazz. Its bright, open sound makes it the first voicing most pianists master.
Drill Cmaj7 in all 12 keysThe notes in Cmaj7
- C R
- E 3
- G 5
- B 7
Cmaj7 voicings on piano
Each voicing is the exact shape the trainer drills. Press play to hear it — as a block chord or rolled note by note.
Root Position
C · E · G · B R · 3 · 5 · 7
Shell Voicing
C · E · B R · 3 · 7
Rootless A
E · G · B · D 3 · 5 · 7 · 9
Rootless B
B · D · E · G 7 · 9 · 3 · 5
Where Cmaj7 fits in a ii-V-I
Cmaj7 is the I chord of a C major ii-V-I (Dm7–G7–Cmaj7) and the most common resting chord in jazz. Its bright, open sound makes it the first voicing most pianists master.
The fastest way to internalise Cmaj7 is to drill it in context across all 12 keys until the shape is automatic.
Practice the full ii-V-I progressionCmaj7 — frequently asked questions
What notes are in Cmaj7?
Cmaj7 is built from C, E, G and B — the root, major third, perfect fifth and major seventh.
What is the shell voicing for Cmaj7?
The shell voicing keeps only root, third and seventh: C, E, B. It leaves out the fifth so the chord stays clear and uncluttered, which is why jazz pianists use it in the left hand.
What is the difference between Cmaj7 and C6?
Cmaj7 uses the major seventh (B), giving a lush, slightly tense colour. C6 replaces that B with the sixth (A), giving a more stable, old-school sound often used as a final chord.