m(Maj7) chords
The Minor Major 7th, or m(Maj7) chord is a four-note chord that adds the major seventh interval to the minor triad. It can be seen as a blend of a minor triad and a major 7th. By comparing Cm with Cm(Maj7) we can see that the notes change from C, Eb, G to C, Eb, G, B. The chord name is written in some various ways, it can also be abbreviated as min(maj7), min(Maj7) and minM7.
Minor Major 7th chords
Cm(Maj7)
Dm(Maj7)
Em(Maj7)
Fm(Maj7)
Gm(Maj7)
Am(Maj7)
Bm(Maj7)
Comments
Cm(Maj7) can also be played with two fingers as X3100X.
Fm(Maj7) can also be played with the Dm(Maj7) shape as XX3554.
Options for Gm(Maj7) in open position exists, but none is without hard fingering. One possible way with the root on the 6th string is 310032, or with Gb in the bass as 210032. An easier way is with Bb in the bass as X10032.
For Bm(Maj7), a barre shape is possible as X24332.
Minor Major 7th with flats and sharps
Additional chords in this category:
C sharp / D flat m(Maj7):X46554
D sharp / E flat m(Maj7): XX1322
F sharp / G flat m(Maj7): XX4665
G sharp / A flat m(Maj7): XX6887
A sharp / B flat m(Maj7): X13221
Theory
The minor major seventh is a combination of minor and major chords, and therefore, it also combines notes from the minor and major scales. This results in a slight dissonant sounding chord.
If the Harmonic Minor scale is harmonized into four-note chords, the m(Maj7) is the I chord:
| imM7 | iiø | III7#5 | ivm7 | V7 | VImaj7 | vii°7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cm(Maj7) | Dm7b5 | Ebmaj7#5 | Fm7 | G7 | Abmaj7 | Bdim7 |
Chord progressions is not very often based on the Harmonic Minor scale, but two examples are: Am - AmM7 - Am7 - Fmaj7 and Em - EmM7 - B7 - Cmaj7.
Chord structure
The minor major seventh is built with the formula 1-b3-5-7 (root, minor 3rd, perfect 5th and major 7th).
Notes in chord
Cm(Maj7) C - Eb - G - BDm(Maj7) D - F - A - C#
Em(Maj7) E - G - B - D#
Fm(Maj7) F - Ab - C - E
Gm(Maj7) G - Bb - D - F#
Am(Maj7) A - C - E - G#
Bm(Maj7) B - D - F# - A#
Movable m(Maj7) chord
The diagram below shows a movable shape for the m(Maj7) chord with the root note on the 4th string.
To play, for example Gm(Maj7), the short notation is: XX5776.
Chord progressions
Here are chord sequences that include the m(Maj7):
C - Dm - Dm(Maj7) - Dm7 - G7
Em - Em7 (010000) - Em(Maj7)
Am - Am(Maj7) (X01220) - Am7 - Am(Maj7) - Fmaj7 - E7
Dm7b5 - G7 - Cm(maj7)
Note that the m(Maj7) often is played in conjunction with minor and minor seventh and in these situations creates a movement in the middle voice.
Minor Major 7th chord inversions
The m(Maj7) chord is possible to play in numerous configurations including three inversions (it's also common to combine inversions with omitting notes for this chord type).
Cm(Maj7) can be used as an example:
- C - Eb - G - B (root position)
- Eb - G - B - C (1st inversion)
- G - B - C - Eb (2nd inversion)
- B - C - Eb - G (3rd inversion)
To indicate that a chord is played inverted it is written with a slash before the bass note. For example, the first inversion of the Cm(Maj7) chord is written Cm(Maj7)/Eb. Some examples follow below in short notation:
Cm(Maj7)/G: 32100X
Cm(Maj7)/B: X2101X
Dm(Maj7)/A: X00221
Dm(Maj7)/F: 10022X1
Em(Maj7)/G: 321000
Em(Maj7)/B: X21000
Gm(Maj7)/Bb: X10032
Gm(Maj7)/Gb: 210033
Am(Maj7)/E: 002110
Bm(Maj7)/F#: 224332
Bm(Maj7)/A#: 010302
For more chord diagrams, see The Chord Reference ebook.