C Major Seventh Guitar Arpeggio
Guitar arpeggio — fretboard diagram
C Major Seventh Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: C, E, G, B
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 5P, 7M
Formula: 2W-WH-2W
Number of notes: 4
Also known as: maj7, Δ, ma7, M7, Maj7, ^7
The C Major Seventh arpeggio contains 4 notes (C, E, G, B). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.
When to Use the C Major Seventh Arpeggio
Play the C Major Seventh arpeggio whenever a C Major Seventh chord appears in a progression. Unlike scales (which include passing tones), arpeggios guarantee every note you play IS a chord tone, making your solo sound harmonically precise and intentional.
Arpeggio vs. Scale
The C Major Seventh arpeggio uses 4 notes (C, E, G, B) while the full scale uses 7. The arpeggio is a subset — think of it as the skeleton of the scale. Practice alternating between the arpeggio and the full scale to develop a melodic vocabulary that mixes chord tones with passing tones.
How to Play C Major Seventh Arpeggio on Guitar
Root your C Major Seventh arpeggio at fret 8 on the 6th (low E), or alternatively at 3rd fret on the A string. This 4-note arpeggio (C, E, G, B) benefits from economy picking, combining sweep and alternate picking motions. Practice isolating two-string pairs to build coordination before linking the full shape.
The C Major Seventh arpeggio outlines a C major chord and works perfectly over C, Cmaj7, C6 harmonies. It is a foundational arpeggio for soloing over major-key progressions and emphasizes the bright, resolved character of the major triad.
Practice Routine
Play the C Major Seventh arpeggio as whole notes over a backing track or drone on C. Focus on intonation and tone quality for each of the 4 notes (C, E, G, B). After a few passes, begin improvising short melodic phrases built from these arpeggio tones, connecting them with passing notes.
Guitar Tips
On guitar, practice the C Major Seventh arpeggio using sweep picking across all six strings. Start with downstrokes ascending and upstrokes descending at a slow tempo, keeping each note separated rather than blurred. Mute unused strings with your fretting hand to keep the sound clean.
Related Resources
Explore C Major Seventh in Other Tunings
- C Major Seventh in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- C Major Seventh in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- C Major Seventh in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- C Major Seventh in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- C Major Seventh in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- C Major Seventh in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- C Major Seventh in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- C Major Seventh in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- C Major Seventh in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- C Major Seventh in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- C Major Seventh in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- C Major Seventh in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- C Major Seventh in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- C Major Seventh in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)