CifraLab

Fmaj7 Guitar Chord

Fmaj7 guitar chord: see the fingering, compare positions, and hear it before you play.

Back to Chord Dictionary
Shape 1/2
Chord shapes:(2 positions)
Fmaj7Guitar fingering diagram for Fmaj71234××321STRING6ª×5ª×4ªF3ªA2ªC1ªE
View HD sheet

What sets Fmaj7 apart

Play Fmaj7 one string at a time and you hear F, A, C and E. F is the root, A the major third, C the fifth and E the major seventh.

From the low string to the high one you hear F, A, C and E. The lowest note is F on string 4 and the highest is E on string 1.

In Fmaj7, string 1 is played open and adds E. Strings 6 and 5 are not played. Everything fits between frets 1 and 3. The second shape on this page starts at fret 1.

Fadd9 is one change away. String 1 is pressed at fret 3, bringing in G, the ninth of Fadd9. Fmaj7 holds the whole Am chord inside it, A, C and E. Going to F, three positions stay the same.

You will find Fmaj7 in four different keys. In F major it is the I, in C major the IV and in A minor the VI. The rest appear in the key list. Further down there is a song that uses it.

Chord Progressions

Explore recommended harmonic circles on CifraLab:

01F F - Dm - Gm - C702Am Am - F - Dm - E7
Music Theory & Formula

Component notes and harmonic structure (Fmaj7)

Formula: Major Seventh (1 - 3 - 5 - 7)
Constituent chord intervals:

F 1A 3C 5E 7

Root Bass (Fundamental String)4th String (D) • Fret 3 (F)

String Control (Muted & Active)4 / 6 • 2 X Muted

2 Fretboard Positions

Other fretboard positions for Fmaj7:

01

Open

Standard Position
4 / 6 stringsRoot: 4th String (D)
String Control (Muted & Active):
6th String (Low E)
×Muted
Do not play
5th String (A)
×Muted
Do not play
Root
4th String (D)
Fret 3Finger 3
FDegree 1
3rd String (G)
Fret 2Finger 2
ADegree 3
2nd String (B)
Fret 1Finger 1
CDegree 5
1st String (High E)
○Open
EDegree 7

Placement tip: Press: 4th String (D) at fret 3 with your Ring finger, 3rd String (G) at fret 2 with your Middle finger, 2nd String (B) at fret 1 with your Index finger. Play open: 1st String (High E). Don't play: 6th String (Low E), 5th String (A).

02

Barre 1

Barre fret 1
6 / 6 stringsRoot: 6th String (Low E)
String Control (Muted & Active):
Root
6th String (Low E)
Fret 1Barre
FDegree 1
5th String (A)
Fret 3
CDegree 5
4th String (D)
Fret 2
EDegree 7
3rd String (G)
Fret 2
ADegree 3
2nd String (B)
Fret 1Barre
CDegree 5
1st String (High E)
Fret 1Barre
FDegree 1

Placement tip: Barre fret 1. Press: 5th String (A) at fret 3, 4th String (D) at fret 2, 3rd String (G) at fret 2.

Biomechanics & Posture

Ergonomic tips to play without tension or fatigue (Fmaj7)

Standard Position

The shape in numbers

ItemIn this chord
Frets1 to 3
Fretting fingers3
Open1st
Muted6th and 5th

What to check

The open 1st string sits next to a fretting finger.

What every chord shares is in the fingering reading.

Transitions & Pivot Fingers

Most common chord transitions from Fmaj7

Listen: Fmaj7 → F · C · Am

  1. Fmaj7
  2. F
  3. Fmaj7
  4. C
  5. Fmaj7
  6. Am
Fmaj7 → F01
Pivot / Anchor Finger:3 shared positions
Stay in place
  • string 4, fret 3
  • string 3, fret 2
  • string 2, fret 1
Move
  • string 6, fret 1
  • string 5, fret 3
  • string 1, fret 1
Fmaj7 → C02
Pivot / Anchor Finger:1 finger stays
Stay in place
  • finger 1: string 2, fret 1
Move
  • finger 3: string 5, fret 3
  • finger 2: string 4, fret 2
Fmaj7 → Am03
Pivot / Anchor Finger:1 finger stays
Stay in place
  • finger 1: string 2, fret 1
Move
  • finger 2: string 4, fret 2
  • finger 3: string 3, fret 2

Fmaj7 in every key

Fmaj7 sits in the scale of 4 keys.

Main shape at a glance

Difficulty
2/5
Highest fret
3
Frets the hand covers
3
Barre
No
Strings that ring
4/6
Fretting fingers
3

Fmaj7 on other instruments

PianoThe same notes on the keyboard.UkuleleFmaj7 on four strings, with sound.BassFmaj7 as a low-register arpeggio.All togetherHear guitar, piano, bass and violin together.
Songs with this chord

Famous songs featuring this chord (Fmaj7)

Well-known songs where this chord plays a clear role

01"Dreams"Fleetwood Mac • 1977Heard in the chorus (Fmaj7 - G6).
Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions about the chord (Fmaj7)

The questions that come up most when playing this chord

Which strings are played and which are muted in the Fmaj7 chord?

To play the Fmaj7 chord on guitar, only 4 strings are played, from string 4 to string 1. Muted strings must be gently dampened with the fleshy side of a fretting finger to prevent dissonance.

What is the root bass note of the Fmaj7 chord and on which string is it located?

The primary bass note of the Fmaj7 chord is its root note: F. In standard guitar tuning (EADGBe), this bass note is located on string 4 at fret 3.

When strumming or fingerpicking, strike this string first.

What notes make up the Fmaj7 chord and what is its formula?

The Fmaj7 chord is constructed using the 1 - 3 - 5 - 7 formula (Major Seventh). Its constituent pitches are F, A, C, E.

How do you prevent the Fmaj7 chord from buzzing or sounding muted?

To prevent the Fmaj7 chord from buzzing or sounding muted, press the strings using the tips of your fingers at a strict 90-degree hammer angle. Position each finger immediately behind the fret wire with your thumb centered behind the neck.

What famous songs use the Fmaj7 chord?

"Dreams" (Fleetwood Mac, 1977). Heard in the chorus (Fmaj7 - G6).

Study sheet · High resolution

Official Fmaj7 chord diagram

Fmaj7 guitar chord diagram with fingering for fingers 1 to 4
Download HD sheet

Thanks for studying with CifraLab

If this chord helped you, support us with a coffee on Ko-fi.

Buy a coffee

Other chords in the F family:

Chord F Chord F# Chord F#m Chord Fm Chord F7 Chord F#7 Chord F#maj7 Chord F#m7