How to play the Amaj7 chord on guitar
A major seventh (Amaj7) in standard tuning (EADGBE). Play the shape x02120 from the low E string to the high E string. The chord tones are A, C#, E, G#, and the lowest sounding note is A.
Fingering chart
| String | Fret | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 6th (low E) | Muted | Not played |
| 5th (A) | Open | A |
| 4th (D) | 2 | E |
| 3rd (G) | 1 | G# |
| 2nd (B) | 2 | C# |
| 1st (high E) | Open | E |
Notes and intervals
Formula 1 3 5 7. This shape sounds each chord tone.
| Note | Degree | Interval from A | In this shape |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 1 | Root (0 semitones) | Yes |
| C# | 3 | Major 3rd (4 semitones) | Yes |
| E | 5 | Perfect 5th (7 semitones) | Yes |
| G# | 7 | Major 7th (11 semitones) | Yes |
Changing chords from Amaj7
Amaj7 sounds five strings with one string muted: three fretted positions between frets 1 and 2, plus two open strings. The quickest changes leave fretted notes where they are, so the hand pivots instead of lifting off the neck. These are the chords in this library that share the most fretted notes with the Amaj7 shape.
- Amaj7 to A7: keep two fretted notes in place (4th string fret 2, 2nd string fret 2), no new positions to fret.
- Amaj7 to A: keep two fretted notes in place (4th string fret 2, 2nd string fret 2), one new position to fret.
- Amaj7 to E: keep two fretted notes in place (4th string fret 2, 3rd string fret 1), one new position to fret.
- Amaj7 to E7: keep one fretted note in place (3rd string fret 1), one new position to fret.