C#maj7(#5) Guitar Chord Chart | C# Major Seventh Sharp Fifth
Welcome to our tutorial on the C# maj7(#5) chord, a member of the Augmented Chords family. This chord, rich in harmonic complexity, is composed of the notes C#, E#, G##, and B#. Its structure is built on the musical intervals of 1 (Root), 3 (Major Third), #5 (Augmented Fifth), and 7 (Major Seventh).
The C# maj7(#5) chord is often found in various musical genres, but it's particularly prevalent in jazz, where its unique sound adds a sophisticated touch to chord progressions. If you're interested in learning more about this genre, our jazz chord progression tutorial provides a wealth of information.
Understanding how to build this chord involves a deep knowledge of fretboard intervals, as well as how these intervals interact to form chords. Our guitar music theory tutorial is a great resource for developing this understanding.
Playing the C# maj7(#5) chord can be a bit challenging, especially for beginners. However, with practice and the right guidance, you'll be able to master it. Our complete guitar chord tutorial provides comprehensive lessons on all types of chords, including the C# maj7(#5).
Once you've mastered the C# maj7(#5) chord, you might want to explore how to invert its intervals to create new chord shapes. Our chord inversion tutorial can guide you through this process.
Finally, if you're unsure about how to denote this chord based on its intervals, our guitar chords notation tutorial can help clarify this for you.
Happy learning, and enjoy the rich sounds of the C# maj7(#5) chord!
Notes that compose the C# maj7(#5) chord:
Chord Structure:
C# Major Seventh Sharp Fifth Guitar Chord Voicings
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C maj7(#5) | D maj7(#5) | E maj7(#5) | F maj7(#5) | G maj7(#5) | A maj7(#5) | B maj7(#5) | C#maj7(#5) | D#maj7(#5) | F#maj7(#5) | G#maj7(#5) | A#maj7(#5) | Abmaj7(#5) | Bbmaj7(#5) | Dbmaj7(#5) | Ebmaj7(#5) | Gbmaj7(#5)
FAQ
What does the '#5' in C#maj7(#5) signify, and how does it relate to augmented chords?
The '#5' indicates an augmented fifth interval. This means the fifth degree of the chord has been raised by a semitone (half step) from a perfect fifth. The presence of this augmented fifth interval is precisely what classifies the C#maj7(#5) as a member of the Augmented Chords family, giving it a characteristic tension or 'forward-moving' sound.
Why does the C#maj7(#5) chord use notes like E#, G##, and B# instead of their more common enharmonic equivalents?
In music theory, notes are named based on their scale degree and interval relationship to the root, not just their sound. For C#maj7(#5), C# is the root. E# represents the major third, G## represents the augmented fifth, and B# represents the major seventh. Using these specific spellings ensures the correct interval structure is maintained from the root C#, even if E# sounds like F, G## sounds like A, and B# sounds like C on the guitar fretboard.
What kind of sound does the C#maj7(#5) chord produce, and when is it typically used?
The C#maj7(#5) chord creates a sound that is rich in harmonic complexity and often described as sophisticated, suspended, or even slightly unsettling due to the tension created by the augmented fifth and major seventh. It's particularly prevalent in jazz music, where composers and improvisers use its unique quality to add color, create melodic interest, and resolve to other chords in unexpected ways.
What is the key difference between a C#maj7 chord and a C#maj7(#5) chord?
The fundamental difference lies in one specific interval: the fifth. A standard C#maj7 chord contains a perfect fifth (G#). In contrast, the C#maj7(#5) chord features an *augmented* fifth (G##). This single raised note significantly alters the chord's harmonic quality, shifting it from a stable major seven sound to a more dissonant and 'augmented' character.
What makes the C#maj7(#5) specifically part of the 'Augmented Chords family'?
The defining characteristic that places the C#maj7(#5) in the 'Augmented Chords family' is the presence of an augmented fifth interval (#5). While the chord also has a major seventh, it is the augmented fifth (G## in this case) that gives the chord its augmented quality and familial classification.