How to play the Gmaj7 chord on guitar
G major seventh (Gmaj7) in standard tuning (EADGBE). Play the shape 320002 from the low E string to the high E string. The chord tones are G, B, D, F#, and the lowest sounding note is G.
Fingering chart
| String | Fret | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 6th (low E) | 3 | G |
| 5th (A) | 2 | B |
| 4th (D) | Open | D |
| 3rd (G) | Open | G |
| 2nd (B) | Open | B |
| 1st (high E) | 2 | F# |
Notes and intervals
Formula 1 3 5 7. This shape sounds each chord tone.
| Note | Degree | Interval from G | In this shape |
|---|---|---|---|
| G | 1 | Root (0 semitones) | Yes |
| B | 3 | Major 3rd (4 semitones) | Yes |
| D | 5 | Perfect 5th (7 semitones) | Yes |
| F# | 7 | Major 7th (11 semitones) | Yes |
Changing chords from Gmaj7
Gmaj7 sounds six strings: three fretted positions between frets 2 and 3, plus three 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 Gmaj7 shape.
- Gmaj7 to G: keep two fretted notes in place (6th string fret 3, 5th string fret 2), one new position to fret.
- Gmaj7 to G7: keep two fretted notes in place (6th string fret 3, 5th string fret 2), one new position to fret.
- Gmaj7 to B7: keep two fretted notes in place (5th string fret 2, 1st string fret 2), two new positions to fret.
- Gmaj7 to Bm7: keep two fretted notes in place (5th string fret 2, 1st string fret 2), three new positions to fret.