Major 7th

General info

Interval

Major 7th

Quality

Major

Semitones

11

Degree distance

7 degrees

Degree

7

Interval structure

Lower note

D (293.7 Hz)

Lower note role

Root

Upper note

C# (554.4 Hz)

Upper note role

Major seventh (7)

Degree formula

I

VII

Semitone formula

11 semitones (5.5 tones)

Interval construction

Interval formula

M7

Brief explanation

A major seventh spans eleven semitones and inverts to a minor second. Sounded simultaneously, it is a pronounced dissonance; as scale degree 7, it lies a semitone below tonic.

Interval notes

Consonance / dissonance

Sonority

Dissonance

Explanation

The major 7th is a pronounced dissonance. As the inversion of the minor 2nd, it retains the tension of the half-step relationship, but at a greater distance. The sharpness is especially noticeable in harmonic context (both notes sounding together). In melody, the dissonance is less apparent.

How the interval sounds

Tendencies & resolutions

As a leading tone, scale degree 7 normally rises by semitone to tonic. In a maj7 chord, the seventh may remain part of a stable jazz or popular texture; context determines whether it resolves.

Harmonic context

The major 7th is the key interval of major 7th chords (Cmaj7, Fmaj7). In Ionian and Lydian modes, the VII degree is the leading tone. In harmonic minor, the major 7th appears as the raised VII degree, creating half-step pull to the tonic.

Interval inversion

Inverts to

Minor 2ndm2

Quality change

Major

minor

Inversion rule

When inverting a major 7th, the lower note moves up an octave. 11 semitones (M7) become 1 semitone — a minor 2nd (m2).

Related intervals