A# Maj7 Piano Chord

Piano Diagram of A# Maj7 in Root Position

A# Maj7 is essentially a major triad based on the key of A-sharp, with an additional major 7th (G_x). A# Maj7 can be found on the first and fourth degrees in major keys, and on the third and sixth in minor keys. Keep reading to get a better grip on the music theory behind this chord.

 

 

A# Maj7 Chord Inversions

 

The A# Maj7 chord has a total of 3 inversions:

 Piano Keyboard Diagrams

 

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Music Theory and Harmony of A# Maj7

 

What are Major 7th Chords?

A major seventh chord is a type of chord that consists of a major triad with an additional major seventh interval. It can be found as “maj7,” “M7,” or “Δ”. Maj7 chords have a lush and dreamy sound and can be used as substitutes for tonic and subdominant chords in major keys.

 

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Building the A# Maj7 Chord: Different Approaches

 

Starting from the A# Major Scale:

To build a major 7th chord, you can use the major scale as a reference. You will need to combine a Root, a major 3rd, a 5th interval, and a major 7th.

For instance, to build the A# Maj7 chord, you can start with the A# Major scale, which consists of A#, B#, C_x, D#, E#, F_x, and G_x.

 

 

 

To form an A# Maj7 chord, use the formula R, 3, 5, 7 as follows:

1. Start with the Root note, A#.
2. Choose the major 3rd interval, C_x (“C double sharp”, which is equivalent to D but we call it C_x to preserve the basic interval structure of the chord.)
3. Add the 5th interval, which is E# (F).
4. Lastly, include the major 7th interval, G_x (A).

By using this straightforward formula, you can produce a major 7th chord from any major scale.

 

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by Combining Intervals:

One method to create a major 7th chord is by combining specific intervals – a major 3rd, a minor 3rd, and again a major 3rd. To illustrate, let’s use the A# Maj7 chord as an example.

3 + m3 + 3 = Major 7th Chords

By examining the intervals between the notes, we can see that A#-C_x forms a major 3rd interval, C_x-E# creates a minor 3rd interval, and E#-G_x is also a major 3rd. These three intervals can be stacked together to create the A# Maj7 chord.

 

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How to Use A# Maj7 in a Chord Progression

 

These tables display the harmonized major and natural minor scales where you can find an A# Maj7 chord as its enharmonic equivalent, Bb Maj7.

In major scales, A# Maj7 functions as the tonic chord in the key of A-sharp and as the subdominant chord in the key of E# major. In minor scales, it serves as the mediant chord in the key of F_x and as the submediant chord in the key of C_x. However, it’s important to note that these keys are considered theoretical and not commonly used due to their high number of accidentals. It is often more practical to refer to their enharmonic equivalent keys, which have fewer accidentals.

on Major Scales

• Tonic chord in Bb Major as BbMaj7
• Subdominant chord in F Major as BbMaj7

 

on Natural minor Scales

• Mediant chord in G minor as BbMaj7
• Submediant chord in D minor as BbMaj7

 

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A# Maj7 as the Tonic Chord in A# Major

Check BbMaj7 in Bb Major

 

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A# Maj7 as Subdominant Chord in E# Major

Check BbMaj7 in F Major

 

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A# Maj7 as the Mediant Chord in F_x Minor

Check BbMaj7 in G minor

 

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A# Maj7 as the Submediant Chord in C_x Minor

Check BbMaj7 in D minor

 

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Alternative Names for A# Maj7 Chord

• A#j7
• A#∆
• A#Δ7
• La#∆
• La#7+
• A#M7
• A#Ma7
• A# Maj7
• A# Major 7
• La# Magg7