Different ways to play the cmaj7 chord on guitar, in general, there are multiple ways to play a chord, whatever chord you’re trying to learn how to play or how to use in a song.

Throughout the guitar there are at least 5 different ways to play the same chord, just hold it in different positions using the same notes.

A chord can be assembled in different ways and rearranged that gives your tone a different flavor, or a different vibe.

Normally a major chord is built as 1-3-5 and to make the chord 7 you will need to add the 7th note which will look like this:

Example Cmaj7 Formula= 1-3-5-7

Cmaj7=C-E-G-B

Now depending on where you’re playing the cmaj7 chord on the guitar neck, the shape might look different.

In this blog, you will learn different ways to play cmaj7 on guitar, and the method they used to come up with different positions is called inversions.

So what is an inversion in musical theory?

An inversion on the guitar is just a rearrangement of the notes of the chord, the inversion allows you to play different voicings, add variety and give your tone a different flavor.

Usually, the rearrangement goes like this:  The second note play first, and the root note play second then the third, and the 7th note.

Example: instead of playing C-E-G-B, you play E-G-B-C

 

Cmaj7 chord on guitar finger position

To play Cmaj7 on guitar :

1. place your first finger on fret 3 and barre the A, the 5th string, and E the 1st string.
2. Place your third finger on fret 5 of the D string the fourth string
3. Place your second finger on fret 4 G string the 3rd string
4. Place your fourth finger the pinky on the 5fret of the B string, the Second string

Cmaj7 First inversion

To invert a chord, move the root to the bottom and add the 7th note one octave higher.

The inversion helps to smooth out the motion from one chord to another one.

Also, chord inversion allows guitarists to have unlimited ways to play chords and be able to create the tone and the exact sound according to what the guitarist trying to play.

It’s fun to know all the inversions on the guitar, that way you will have room to play whatever you want to play.

This is an example of the second inversion: E-G-B-C, Look at the picture above, that way you will understand better how the note is positioned.

 

Cmaj7 Second Inversion

C major seventh chord in the second inversion means that you play the fifth of the chord, which is the note G, which is the lowest sounding note.

On the guitar, you can play a Cmaj7 chord in the second inversion by placing the G note on the bottom string and strumming the three highest strings.

Here is one way to play a Cmaj7 chord in the second inversion on the guitar:

• Place your first finger on the third fret of the fifth string.
• Place your second finger on the second fret of the fourth string.
• Place your third finger on the third fret of the second string.

Strum the three highest strings (the fourth, third, and second strings) to play the chord. The chord will consist of the notes G, C, E, and B, in that order.

It’s also possible to play a Cmaj7 chord in the second inversion using a different finger placement or by using a capo.

Experiment with different fingerings to find the one that works best for you and the music you are playing.

Cmaj7 third inversion