### Piano Tutorial: Understanding and Playing Major 7 Chords

Major 7 chords are a staple in various music genres, from jazz and pop to classical and R&B. These chords add a rich, lush quality to your playing and can enhance your harmonic vocabulary. In this tutorial, we'll explore what major 7 chords are, how to construct them, and how to play them on the piano.

#### What is a Major 7 Chord?

A major 7 chord is a four-note chord that consists of:

1. **Root**: The first note of the scale.

2. **Major Third**: Four half steps above the root.

3. **Perfect Fifth**: Seven half steps above the root.

4. **Major Seventh**: Eleven half steps above the root.

For example, in the key of C major, the notes of a C major 7 chord are:

- **C** (Root)

- **E** (Major Third)

- **G** (Perfect Fifth)

- **B** (Major Seventh)

#### Constructing Major 7 Chords in All 12 Keys

Here are the major 7 chords for all 12 keys:

1. **C Major 7**: C - E - G - B

2. **C# (Db) Major 7**: C# - F - G# - C

3. **D Major 7**: D - F# - A - C#

4. **Eb Major 7**: Eb - G - Bb - D

5. **E Major 7**: E - G# - B - D#

6. **F Major 7**: F - A - C - E

7. **F# (Gb) Major 7**: F# - A# - C# - F

8. **G Major 7**: G - B - D - F#

9. **Ab Major 7**: Ab - C - Eb - G

10. **A Major 7**: A - C# - E - G#

11. **Bb Major 7**: Bb - D - F - A

12. **B Major 7**: B - D# - F# - A#

#### How to Play Major 7 Chords on the Piano

To play major 7 chords on the piano, follow these steps:

1. **Identify the Root Note**: Locate the root note of the chord on the keyboard.

2. **Add the Major Third**: Count four half steps (or two whole steps) up from the root to find the major third.

3. **Add the Perfect Fifth**: Count seven half steps (or three and a half whole steps) up from the root to find the perfect fifth.

4. **Add the Major Seventh**: Count eleven half steps (or five and a half whole steps) up from the root to find the major seventh.

#### Example: Playing C Major 7

1. **Root Note**: C

2. **Major Third**: E (four half steps above C)

3. **Perfect Fifth**: G (seven half steps above C)

4. **Major Seventh**: B (eleven half steps above C)

Play the notes C, E, G, and B together to hear the C major 7 chord.

#### Practice Tips

1. **Root Position**: Start by playing the chord in root position (root note at the bottom).

2. **Inversions**: Practice the inversions of the major 7 chord to make your playing more versatile.

- **1st Inversion**: E - G - B - C

- **2nd Inversion**: G - B - C - E

- **3rd Inversion**: B - C - E - G

3. **Hands Together**: Once comfortable with playing the chord in your right hand, try adding the root note in your left hand.

4. **Practice in All Keys**: Gradually work through all 12 major 7 chords to build familiarity with different keys.

#### Musical Applications

- **Jazz**: Major 7 chords are widely used in jazz for their smooth, sophisticated sound.

- **Pop**: They add warmth and complexity to pop music harmonies.

- **Classical**: Classical composers often use major 7 chords to create rich textures and emotional depth.

### Conclusion

Major 7 chords are a versatile and essential part of a pianist's repertoire. Understanding and mastering these chords will enhance your musical expression and broaden your harmonic vocabulary. Happy playing!

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