G Major 7th Chord (Gmaj7) on Piano
The Gmaj7 chord (G major 7th) is built from 4 notes: G – B – D – F#.
Play these notes on a MIDI keyboard, your computer keyboard, or the on-screen keys and ChordKeys will name the chord back to you.
Notes and intervals
| Note | Degree | Interval from G | Semitones |
|---|---|---|---|
| G | 1 | root | 0 |
| B | 3 | major 3rd | 4 |
| D | 5 | perfect 5th | 7 |
| F# | 7 | major 7th | 11 |
Inversions
Rearranging which note sits at the bottom gives you 4 playable voicings of the same chord. Inversions let you move between chords with less hand movement.
| Voicing | Notes | Bass note |
|---|---|---|
| Root position | G – B – D – F# | G in the bass |
| 1st inversion | B – D – F# – G | B in the bass |
| 2nd inversion | D – F# – G – B | D in the bass |
| 3rd inversion | F# – G – B – D | F# in the bass |
How the major 7th chord is built
Every major 7th chord uses the same interval formula: 1 (0 semitones), 3 (4 semitones), 5 (7 semitones), 7 (11 semitones). Starting on G and applying that formula produces G, B, D, F#. Learn the formula once and you can build a major 7th chord on any of the twelve roots.
Keys that contain Gmaj7
Every note of Gmaj7 belongs to these keys, so it will sit naturally in a progression written in any of them.
Other chords on G
Major 7th chords on other roots
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in a Gmaj7 chord?
A Gmaj7 chord contains the notes G, B, D, F#. Those are the 1, 3, 5, 7 degrees measured from the root note G.
How do you play Gmaj7 on piano?
Place your thumb on G, then add B and D and F# above it. With a right hand in root position the common fingering is 1–2–3–5.