By Brian Turner
In lessons 17-20 we constructed the aug, 6, 7, and Maj7 chords by omitting the 5th interval and replacing it with the appropriate interval. In the exercises 21-23 we will learn the Maj7, 7, and 6 chords by omitting the root and replacing it with the appropriate interval.
The root (1st interval) is the same note as the 8th (octave). If we lower the root down 1/2 tone (1 fret) we arrive at the 7. The resulting intervals are the 7, 3, and 5. The root has been omitted. The chord we have constructed is the a Cmaj7 as illustrated below.
The Major 7 chord (CMaj7) omitting the root and adding the 7.
C Maj7 horizontally up the neck
C Maj7 vertically across the neck.
A Tip! The C Maj7 is the same fingering as the Em triad.