Learn › C Major 7 (Cmaj7) Chord Inversions: All Four Positions
New Released in April 2026
C Major 7 (Cmaj7) Chord Inversions: All Four Positions
Cmaj7 has four inversions because it has four notes: root position C E G B, then E G B C, G B C E and B C E G. Each one is still Cmaj7. Below: each position on the keyboard, a one-look rule to tell them apart, fingering and a I-vi-ii that uses them.
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- MIDI keyboard
- Digital or acoustic piano
- Guitar
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The four positions of Cmaj7
Root position starts on C, then E, G and B.
Root position: C E G B
1st inversion: E G B C
2nd inversion: G B C E
3rd inversion: B C E G
- Root position: starts on C, a white key; all white keys
- 1st inversion: starts on E, a white key; all white keys
- 2nd inversion: starts on G, a white key; all white keys
- 3rd inversion: starts on B, a white key; all white keys
Move through Cmaj7 → Am7 → Dm7 without jumping
This is why pianists learn seventh-chord inversions: Cmaj7 → Am7 → Dm7 keeps the hand in one place.
- From Cmaj7 to Am7: C stays, E stays, G stays, B → A.
- From Am7 to Dm7: C stays, E → D, G → F, A stays.
How to tell the Cmaj7 inversions apart
Look for the two notes that sit next to each other: none in root position, at the top in the 1st inversion, in the middle in the 2nd, at the bottom in the 3rd.
| Position | Bass | Name | Figured bass | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Root position | C | Cmaj7 | 7 | no neighbours: four notes evenly stacked (major 3rd + minor 3rd + major 3rd) |
| 1st inversion | E | Cmaj7/E | 6/5 | neighbours at the top (minor 3rd + major 3rd + minor 2nd) |
| 2nd inversion | G | Cmaj7/G | 4/3 | neighbours in the middle (major 3rd + minor 2nd + major 3rd) |
| 3rd inversion | B | Cmaj7/B | 4/2 | neighbours at the bottom (minor 2nd + major 3rd + minor 3rd) |
Fingering for Cmaj7 in every position
| Position | Right hand | Left hand |
|---|---|---|
| Root position (C E G B) | 1-2-3-5 | 5-3-2-1 |
| 1st inversion (E G B C) | 1-2-3-5 | 5-3-2-1 |
| 2nd inversion (G B C E) | 1-2-3-5 | 5-3-2-1 |
| 3rd inversion (B C E G) | 1-2-3-5 | 5-3-2-1 |
Keep the same four fingers for all positions; only the notes under them change.
Make Cmaj7 inversions automatic
In ChordRunner any inversion of Cmaj7 counts: play Cmaj7/E, Cmaj7/G or Cmaj7/B and the runner jumps. MIDI keyboard or microphone, both work.
Play the demoThe Cmaj7 chord · All piano chords · Seventh chords explained
Common questions
What are the inversions of Cmaj7?
Root position C E G B, 1st inversion E G B C (Cmaj7/E), 2nd inversion G B C E (Cmaj7/G) and 3rd inversion B C E G (Cmaj7/B).
What is Cmaj7/B?
It is Cmaj7 in 3rd inversion: B C E G from the bottom, with the seventh in the bass. Figured bass calls it 4/2.
Can I practise Cmaj7 inversions with a MIDI keyboard or microphone?
Yes. ChordRunner detects a USB MIDI keyboard automatically and also hears a piano through the microphone; every inversion of Cmaj7 counts.
Your instrument is the controller.
ChordRunner is a browser game that teaches piano and guitar chords: a chord appears on screen, you play it on a real instrument, and your runner jumps. MIDI keyboard or microphone, both work.
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