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Learn › G Major 7 (Gmaj7) Chord Inversions: All Four Positions

New Released in April 2026

G Major 7 (Gmaj7) Chord Inversions: All Four Positions

To invert Gmaj7, move the lowest note up an octave: G B D F# becomes B D F# G, then D F# G B, then F# G B D. 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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Gmaj7/B B D F# G

The four positions of Gmaj7

The lowest note names the position; the chord is still Gmaj7.

Gmaj7 G B D F#

Root position: G B D F#

Gmaj7/B B D F# G

1st inversion: B D F# G

Gmaj7/D D F# G B

2nd inversion: D F# G B

Gmaj7/F# F# G B D

3rd inversion: F# G B D

  • Root position: starts on G, a white key; black keys: F#
  • 1st inversion: starts on B, a white key; black keys: F#
  • 2nd inversion: starts on D, a white key; black keys: F#
  • 3rd inversion: starts on F#, a black key; black keys: F#

Spot each Gmaj7 inversion in one look

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.

PositionBassNameFigured bassRule
Root positionGGmaj77no neighbours: four notes evenly stacked (major 3rd + minor 3rd + major 3rd)
1st inversionBGmaj7/B6/5neighbours at the top (minor 3rd + major 3rd + minor 2nd)
2nd inversionDGmaj7/D4/3neighbours in the middle (major 3rd + minor 2nd + major 3rd)
3rd inversionF#Gmaj7/F#4/2neighbours at the bottom (minor 2nd + major 3rd + minor 3rd)

Gmaj7 inversions: which fingers

PositionRight handLeft hand
Root position (G B D F#)1-2-3-55-3-2-1
1st inversion (B D F# G)1-2-3-55-3-2-1
2nd inversion (D F# G B)1-2-3-55-3-2-1
3rd inversion (F# G B D)1-2-3-55-3-2-1

Four notes, four fingers: 1-2-3-5 in the right hand and 5-3-2-1 in the left work in every position.

Gmaj7 in a I-vi-ii with inversions: Gmaj7 → Em7 → Am7

This is why pianists learn seventh-chord inversions: Gmaj7 → Em7 → Am7 keeps the hand in one place.

Gmaj7 B D F# G
Em7 B D E G
Am7 A C E G
  • From Gmaj7 to Em7: B stays, D stays, F# → E, G stays.
  • From Em7 to Am7: B → A, D → C, E stays, G stays.
ChordRunner showing a chord block while hands play the piano

Practise Gmaj7 in every position

In ChordRunner any inversion of Gmaj7 counts: play Gmaj7/B, Gmaj7/D or Gmaj7/F# and the runner jumps. MIDI keyboard or microphone, both work.

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The Gmaj7 chord · All piano chords · Seventh chords explained

Common questions

What are the inversions of Gmaj7?

Root position G B D F#, 1st inversion B D F# G (Gmaj7/B), 2nd inversion D F# G B (Gmaj7/D) and 3rd inversion F# G B D (Gmaj7/F#).

What is Gmaj7/F#?

It is Gmaj7 in 3rd inversion: F# G B D from the bottom, with the seventh in the bass. Figured bass calls it 4/2.

Can I practise Gmaj7 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 Gmaj7 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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