Left-handed Gmaj7 diagram
Vertical: high e on the left, nut at the top. Horizontal: high e at the top, nut on the right. X = silent, O = open. Dot numbers are fingers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little. A thick line joins notes held with one finger as a barre.
Fret and finger guide
Both codes read from low E to high e, regardless of the diagram view.
- Frets
3 · x · 4 · 4 · 3 · x- Fingers
- 1 · – · 3 · 4 · 2 · –
- Level
- Intermediate (this fingering)
Make a clean Gmaj7 chord
Pick low E, D, G and B separately. Lightly mute A and high e; a broad six-string strum will add unwanted notes.
- Place one finger at a time, just behind the fret wire.
- Pick each sounding string slowly. Adjust any finger that mutes its neighbour.
- Release pressure, then make the shape again. Aim for a relaxed hand.
- Strum four beats, rest for four, then repeat. Rest if your hand becomes tired; stop if you feel pain.
Another way to play it
Try xx5432 for a four-string Gmaj7 with G on D and no skipped inner string.
Fret codes are written low E to high e. An x means leave that string silent.
Practise chord changes with a metronome →Gmaj7 notes and chord formula
A major seventh adds the note one semitone below the root to a major triad. It has a different sound from a dominant seventh: maj7 and 7 are different chord symbols.
- Formula
- 1 – 3 – 5 – 7
- Chord notes
- G – B – D – F#
How to read chord diagrams · Build a comfortable barre · Connect chord shapes with CAGED