How to play the Fmaj7 chord on guitar

The Fmaj7 chord, pronounced F major seventh, is a sophisticated and dreamy chord often used in jazz, neo-soul, and R&B music. It's known for its smooth, mellow sound that adds a touch of elegance to progressions. Notable songs featuring Fmaj7 include "Isn't She Lovely" by Stevie Wonder and "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room" by John Mayer. Learning Fmaj7 opens up creative possibilities on guitar.

The most common way to play the Fmaj7 chord on guitar is as a barre chord on the 1st fret.

Follow these finger positions to play a Fmaj7 chord on your guitar:

1. Place your index finger across all six strings on the 1st fret, forming a barre.
2. Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd (G) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the 5th (A) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 3rd fret of the 4th (D) string.

To strum this chord, use your pick or thumb to strum down across all six strings in one smooth motion.

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the Fmaj7 chord, try this:

1. Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the 2nd (B) string.
2. Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th (D) string.
3. Strum only these two strings together.

This simplified version still captures the essence of the Fmaj7 chord.

Playing the Fmaj7 chord as a barre chord allows you to easily transition to other chords up and down the fretboard.

Here's how to play a Fmaj7 bar chord:

1. Place your index finger across the 1st fret, covering all six strings (E, A, D, G, B, and high E).
2. Place your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the 5th (A) string.
3. Place your pinky finger on the 3rd fret of the 4th (D) string.
4. Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd (G) string.
5. Strum down from the 5th (A) string.

The Fmaj7 chord is often used in progressions to create a dreamy, reflective, or wistful emotional atmosphere. Some common chord progressions featuring Fmaj7 include:

• I - vi - ii - V: Fmaj7 - Dm - Gm - C (Used in "Fly Me to the Moon" and "Misty")
• ii - V - I: Gm7 - C7 - Fmaj7
• iii - vi - ii - V: Am7 - Dm7 - Gm7 - C7
• vi - ii - V - I: Dm7 - Gm7 - C7 - Fmaj7 (Used in "Girl from Ipanema")
• I - iii - vi - ii: Fmaj7 - Am7 - Dm7 - Gm7

To master the Fmaj7 chord, try practicing the "hover and strum" drill. Hover your fretting hand over the strings, then quickly press down and strum the chord. Release and repeat. This builds muscle memory and synchronization.

Another helpful exercise is the "walk-up" drill. Play each note of the chord individually in order (F, A, C, E), then strum the full chord. Start slowly and gradually increase your speed. This reinforces your understanding of the chord's composition and helps with precision.

Here are 10 popular songs you can play with the Fmaj7 chord.

1. Hey Jude by The Beatles (F, C, Fmaj7, Dm, Bb)
2. Let It Be by The Beatles (C, G, Am, F, Fmaj7, C7)
3. Rocket Man by Elton John (Gm7, C7, F, Dm, Bb, Fmaj7, Bbm)
4. My Way by Frank Sinatra (C, Em, Gm7, A7, Dm, Fmaj7, Dm7, G7)
5. The Way You Look Tonight by Frank Sinatra (Fmaj7, E7, Am, D7, Gm7, C7)
6. Blackbird by The Beatles (G, A, Bbdim, Dm, C, Fmaj7)
7. Your Song by Elton John (Fmaj7, G, Em7, A7, Dm7, Fmaj7, Bb, C)
8. Imagine by John Lennon (C, Cmaj7, F, Fmaj7, G, G7sus4, G7)
9. Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon & Garfunkel (A, F#m, Bm, D, E, C#m, F#m, Fmaj7)
10. The Long and Winding Road by The Beatles (Fmaj7, Em7, A7, Dm, G7, C)