Cmaj7 chord on ukulele

Cmaj7 is C, E, G and B. The easiest shape is 0-0-0-2. Hit Play and watch each string light as it sounds.

0-0-0-2 · open · easy

Notes: C · E · G · B
Formula: 1 · 3 · 5 · 7
First shape: 0-0-0-2

How to play Cmaj7 on ukulele

Shape 1, 0-0-0-2, reading from the G string on the left:

B: index finger, 2nd fret of the A string.
Leave the G, C and E strings open: G, C and E.

Arch your fingers so their tips come down vertically. That keeps them off the open strings, which have to ring for the chord to sound complete.
On ukulele you strum all four strings. The top G string is tuned higher than the C, which is why ukulele chords sound bright and close.

Other ways to play Cmaj7

5-7-7-7: movable shape at the 5th fret, medium. A different set of strings gives a different color of the same chord.
9-11-8-10: movable shape at the 8th fret, medium. Higher up the neck it sounds brighter; handy when another guitar is already playing a lower shape.

Cmaj7 the capo way

A capo turns an open chord into Cmaj7: capo on the 3rd fret and play the open Amaj7 shape (1-1-0-0), capo on the 5th fret and play the open Gmaj7 shape (0-2-2-2) or capo on the 7th fret and play the open Fmaj7 shape (2-4-1-3). Handy when the rest of the song's chords also have open shapes in that position.

Moving between Cmaj7 and its neighbours

Songs rarely hold Cmaj7 for long. Here's what your hand does on the moves that come up most.

Fmaj7 (IV in C major): Cmaj7 (0-0-0-2) to Fmaj7 (2-4-1-3): the index finger goes to the E string, 1st fret, the middle finger comes down on the G string, 2nd fret, the ring finger comes down on the A string, 3rd fret. Nothing carries over, so drill it slowly, lifting and landing all fingers at once. The two chords share C and E, which is why the change sounds smooth. Fmaj7 on ukulele
G7 (V in C major): Cmaj7 (0-0-0-2) to G7 (0-2-1-2): the index finger goes to the E string, 1st fret, the middle finger comes down on the C string, 2nd fret, the ring finger comes down on the A string, 2nd fret. Nothing carries over, so drill it slowly, lifting and landing all fingers at once. G and B carry over from one chord to the other. G7 on ukulele
Am7 (vi in C major): Cmaj7 (0-0-0-2) to Am7 (0-0-0-0): every finger moves. Shared notes: C, E and G. Am7 on ukulele

Cmaj7 is a major seventh chord: a major triad with the note a half step below the octave added. All 4 notes of Cmaj7 fit on the ukulele's four strings. On ukulele you hear it best picked slowly, string by string.

Practice Cmaj7 in two minutes

Arpeggiate 0-0-0-2 from the lowest string: G, C, E, B. Then strum it and listen for the same 4 notes together. Finish by moving between 0-0-0-2 and 5-7-7-7 to learn two positions of the same chord.

Cmaj7 in context

In C major, ii–V–I on ukulele is Dm7 (2-2-1-3), G7 (0-2-1-2) and Cmaj7 (0-0-0-2). About the jazz cadence.

Cmaj7 on guitar and piano

Switching instruments? Try Cmaj7 on piano or Cmaj7 on guitar, or compare them on the Cmaj7 chord page.

Close to Cmaj7

Other major seventh chords

Cmaj7 on ukulele: questions

What notes are in Cmaj7 on ukulele?

C, E, G and B. In the 0-0-0-2 shape the strings play G (G string, open), C (C string, open), E (E string, open) and B (A string).

What's the easiest way to play Cmaj7 on ukulele?

0-0-0-2, shape 1 above. No barre: some strings ring open.

Is Cmaj7 a barre chord on ukulele?

Not usually: 0-0-0-2 needs no barre.

Which string does Cmaj7 start on?

In the 0-0-0-2 shape the lowest string you play is the G string, open, which is G, the perfect fifth.

Checked automatically: no shape here plays a note outside Cmaj7. Updated September 2026.