Amaj7 guitar chord
The A major 7th chord: every way to play it on the neck, the notes in it, and the scales that sound good over it.
What's in Amaj7
- Notes
- A – C# – E – G#
- Formula
- 1 – 3 – 5 – 7
- Name
- A major 7th
Amaj7A · C# · E · G#
3 ways to play it · Tuning E A D G B E
- Open · A shape
- E shape · 5th fret
- D shape · 7th fret
What to play over Amaj7
Start with the chord's own notes — A, C#, E, G# — and land on them on the strong beats. Then reach for a scale; which one depends on the chord's job in the song.
- A major scale
The major scale, when the chord is the home chord (Imaj7).
- A Lydian mode
The ♯4 replaces the 4 that clashes with the chord’s 3rd — the sound of a IVmaj7.
- A major pentatonic scale
Five notes with no clash, a safe and open sound.
Questions
What notes are in a Amaj7 chord?
Amaj7 has 4 notes: A, C#, E, G#. Counted from the root, its formula is 1 – 3 – 5 – 7.
What scale goes with Amaj7?
A major scale is the place to start. The major scale, when the chord is the home chord (Imaj7).