Augmented Major Seventh Chords For Jazz Guitar

When learning how to play jazz guitar chords, one of the uncommon, yet cool-sounding shapes, which you will run across, is the maj7#5 chord (aka augmented major seventh chord). Though it is not as commonly used as the maj7 or maj7#11 chord shapes, the maj7#5 chord is an interesting sound that you can add to your jazz guitar vocabulary over static maj7 chords, as well as ii V I progressions.

To help you get your fingers, ears, and mind around this major 7 chord alteration, you will learn how to build maj7#5 chords, how they can be applied to your comping, how you can improvise over them, as well as study a comping etude in order to bring these ideas to a musical situation.

What is a Maj7#5 Chord?

An augmented major seventh chord is a maj7 chord with the 5th note raised by one half-step (one fret), to produce the #5 interval on that chord shape. Formula: 1 3 #5 7

The intervals of the maj7 chord are 1-3-5-7 and so the interval pattern for the maj7#5 chord is 1-3-#5-7, so you can see that they are only one note apart, the raised 5th.

Here is how those two chords look on paper so you can see the one-note difference between the two.

 

Maj7#5 Chords 1

Maj7#5 Jazz Guitar Chord Voicings

Here are 8 different maj7#5 chord fingerings that you can practice in order to get your fingers around these chords.

 

Maj7#5 Chords 4

 

C major 7 augmented chord chart

As was mentioned earlier, you can take any maj7 chord you know, in any inversion, find the 5th and raise it by one fret in order to create a maj7#5 chord. Try this out with your favorite maj7 chords, writing them down to keep a chord dictionary that you can refer to in your future practice sessions.

Ma7#5 ii V I Application

With the knowledge of how to build a maj7#5 chord under your belt, let’s take a look at how you can apply this interesting sounding chord to your comping ideas in a jazz setting.

Since this chord is built by altering a maj7 chord, you can theoretically use a major augmented 7 chord in place of any maj7 chord when playing tunes, just be aware that it will create tension when substituted for the more smooth-sounding maj7 chord.

In order to deal with this added tension, some players will use the #5 as a passing tone between the 5 and 6 of the maj7 chord.

Alternatively, you can resolve the #5 up to the 6 or down to the 5th of the underlying chord in order to create tension, but also resolve it over that change as well.

Here is an example of a ii V I in C major where the maj7#5 chord is added in place of the Cmaj7 chord, but not resolved as the tension is left to hang over the Imaj7 part of that progression.

 

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Maj7#5 Chords 2

 

In the next example,  the Cmaj7#5 is used over the Imaj7 section of the progression, but in this case, the #5 note is resolved down then up in order to provide a resolution to the tension that that note creates in the progression.

 

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Maj7#5 Chords 3

Maj7#5 Tune Up Chord Study

To help you practice the maj7#5 chord in a musical situation, here is a sample chord study written out over the Miles Davis standard Tune Up.

In this study, I’ve used the maj7#5 over each Imaj7 in the tune, with the same passing note pattern being used for each Imaj7 that occurs in the progression.

As well, I’ve used some new maj7#5 chord shapes as compared to the previous sections of this lesson in order to help you expand your vocabulary at the same time.

Go slow with this comping study, work it with a metronome, and then take it to a backing track.

 

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Maj7#5 Chords 6-png

Soloing Over Augmented Major Seventh Chords

When learning to solo over major family chords, many jazz guitarists explore the Ionian mode (Maj7) and the Lydian mode (Maj7#11), but there is a third major chord color, and that is the Lydian augmented sound (Maj7#5).

Though you don’t see many Maj7#5 chords in jazz standard situations, especially compared to Maj7 chords, you can use the Maj7#5 arpeggio, pentatonic scale, and mode to add tension and color to your Maj7 soloing lines.

So, before we dig into these Maj7#5 melodic devices, keep in mind that you can use these devices to solo over Maj7#5 chords when you see them, but you can also use them to add a #5 color to any Maj7 chord you see in your playing.

 

Maj7#5 Arpeggio

To begin your study of how to solo over major seventh augmented chords, you will learn two positions for a Maj7#5 arpeggio, one from the 6th-string root note, and one from the 5th-string root note.

Maj7#5 arpeggios are built by playing the four chord tones that make up the Maj7#5 chord (1-3-#5-7). If you already know your Maj7 arpeggio shapes, you can also take any Maj7 arpeggio, raise the 5th by 1 fret, and you will have created a Maj7#5 arpeggio in the process.

 

Gmaj7 Arpeggio G B D F#
1 3 5 7
Gmaj7#5 Arpeggio G B D# F#
1 3 #5 7

 

Both arpeggios below are written from the root note G to keep things organized in your studies from the beginning. But, once you can play one or both of these shapes from the root G, make sure to practice it in other keys as you begin to work these shapes around the fretboard.

Here is a Gmaj7#5 arpeggio from the 6th string root note.

 

Listen & Play Along

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augmented-1

Moving forward, here is a Gmaj7#5 arpeggio from the 5th-string root note.

 

Listen & Play Along

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augmented-2

As well as working these shapes in various keys around the fretboard, make sure to put on a Gmaj7#5 backing track and practice soloing over that static chord vamp using one or both of these arpeggio shapes to build your improvised lines and phrases.

 

Maj7#5 Pentatonic Scale

Though many of us are familiar with modes and arpeggios over chords such as Maj7#5, you might be surprised to know that you can also play a pentatonic scale over these augmented chords.

The Maj7#5 pentatonic scale is built with the interval structure 1-2-3-#5-6, which is the same structure as a major pentatonic scale, 1-2-3-5-6, with the 5th raised a fret to get that augmented sound in your lines.

 

G Major Pentatonic Scale G A B D E
1 2 3 5 6
G Maj#5 Pentatonic Scale G A B D# E
1 2 3 #5 6

 

To begin your study of this 5-note scale, here is a GMaj7#5 pentatonic scale that you can practice in the given key, as well as take into other keys as you expand upon this sound in your studies.

 

Listen & Play Along

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augmented-3

As well, you can learn to play this pentatonic scale from the 5th-string root, which you can see below from the root note G.

 

Listen & Play Along

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augmented-4

Once you have these shapes under your fingers, try applying them to your soloing practice by improvising over a Gmaj7#5 backing track and using these scale shapes to create your lines and phrases. From there, you can mix the Maj7#5 arpeggios and pentatonic scales together in your lines to hear how these two melodic devices compare and contrast in your solos.

 

Maj7#5 Mode – Lydian Augmented Scale

The last melodic device you will study in this lesson is the Maj7#5 mode, also known as the Lydian augmented scale. This scale is the 3rd mode of the melodic minor scale, and so for Gmaj7#5 it is like playing an E Melodic Minor Scale starting from the note G.

When doing so, the interval structure for the Lydian augmented scale is 1-2-3-#4-#5-6-7, which is like a Lydian mode with the 5th raised by a fret, hence the name Lydian augmented.

 

G Lydian Scale G A B C# D E F#
1 2 3 #4 5 6 7
G Lydian Augmented Scale G A B C# D# E F#
1 2 3 #4 #5 6 7

 

Here is a 6th-string root fingering for the G Lydian augmented scale:

 

Listen & Play Along

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augmented-5

You can also play the Lydian augmented scale from the 5th-string root note, which you can see in this example written from the root note G.

 

Listen & Play Along

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augmented-6

 

Major Augmented Seven Licks

Here are three sample licks that use the arpeggio, pentatonic scale, and mode from above.

This first sample lick uses the Maj7#5 arpeggio over the Cmaj7 chord in the progression below.

 

Listen & Play Along

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augmented-7

 

Moving on, the second lick uses the Maj7#5 pentatonic scale over the Cmaj7 chord in the given progression.

 

Listen & Play Along

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augmented-8

 

Lastly, here is a Maj7#5 mode applied to the Cmaj7 chord in the chord progression below.

 

Listen & Play Along

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augmented-9

 

After you have learned these three sample licks, try writing out 3 lines of your own in order to take these melodic devices into a practical, musical situation in your own studies.

 

Do you have a question about the maj7#5 chord? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

 

The Easy Guide to Jazz Guitar Chords

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47 thoughts on “Augmented Major Seventh Chords For Jazz Guitar”

  1. Ryan Decker

    If the ^7#5 chord is a little too harsh, think of it as playing a 3rd degree diatonic quartal of Melodic Minor. In other words, instead of stacking thirds, use 4ths and it brings some consonance. For example:

    A Melodic Minor Mode 3
    (C Lydian Augmented Scale)
    A B C D E F# G#
    6 7 1 2 3 #4 #5

    C# Lydian Augmented Diatonic Quartal
    C F# B E A D
    1 #4 7 3 6 2
    A4,P4,P4,P4,P4

    So instead of C^7#5, play C^7#11sus2add13no5
    or
    C^7sus2add13no5
    or
    C^69
    (all pretty much the same)

    It’s a mouthfull but just play it as a quartal and you can still use your C Lydian Augmented Mode on it or whatever scale suits you.

    Yes, I know the #5 is very characteristic of the cord specifically but if you zoom out from the cord and see it modally in the Melodic Minor context this works pretty nicely as a diatonic quartal too.

  2. Anonymous

    Also use B Maj7#5 arpeggio over G7 chord in a 251
    Gives you B, Eb, G, Bb which is 3, b13, 1, #9

  3. David Norcup

    Pretty new to more complex theory but could you use mode 3 of harmonic minor? Similar vibe but without the #11?

  4. James Framus

    You guys are doing a great service putting the “Real Deal” out there. I’m a former guitarist in the USN; I also taught guitar at a community college. Thank You !!! Personally, I’d like to see a gradual library of Real Book tunes covered using numerical functional analysis take root on your site. It covers an expansive array of territory. Great job on ATTYA BTW !!! Peace, Jim Framus

  5. steve neaves

    I really enjoyed this lesson it has opened my ears and eyes to so many things.

  6. Richard

    A perfect amount of information and a doorway to a great sound. These lessons are unequaled.

  7. emiliano

    VERY impresive. it sounds like high quality jazz… just because there is the proper altered soundies there. thanks!!

  8. Francesco from Rome

    Great ! 2nd and 3rd Lick very effective …

  9. alex adapoyi

    This was one of the best lessons ever..i will not forget this

  10. John

    Perception is reality, as they say. Like all (parallel) chords, this could be a IMaj7#5, or it could be: I/bVI slash chord, VIminMaj9, VIm/#v slash chord, etc.

    So, whatever we call the chord, the name is for our analytical thinking. The music could care less, just how the voicing fits and works in the context of the composition.

    Out of the 4 examples in this lesson, 3 of them resolve. Only the 2nd example is unresolved. By these examples, one could conclude that this chord is functionally a passing chord, its purpose being to create a moving voice.

  11. Sharon Kathleen Johnson

    Max, my initial reaction was similar–what in the Sam Hill is the purpose of this deliberate and pugnacious dissonance? I finally realized that the more treacherous and intransigent the atonality, the more welcome and winsome the resolution. It’s the same reason that a melodic phrase sung above a rackety ukulele (which is dissonance personified even when tuned) has an ENHANCED melodicity by way of contrast. Alt-rock stars are capitalizing on this conundrum (Zoe Deschanel, etc.). Dissonance within an ultimately harmonious composition tends to ENHANCE your resolutions.

  12. michael

    Great lesson!
    Been in my toolbox awhile, a little light shed on it,,,
    ( as you do so well,,,) is power!

    Good on ya Bro!

    Thanks for sharing!

  13. ernest

    you really have it. it’s GOD GIVEN keep it up. i love all your revelations.
    thank you i will follow raptly.
    GOD BLESS you.

  14. sergio

    Finally, the Melodic Minor is a great source of jazz sounds. Thank’s Dirk!!

  15. Stanley Ruiz

    yes its a useful chord. I tend not to use this chord as a resolved tonic due to its restless feel. However I will tend to use it as a substitute for Dom7th. In this case CM7#5 being the mediant chord of A melodic minor, I can appegiate it over a D7 to create a lydian dominant sonority since it contains the note Ab(G#)which is the flatted 5th of the D7.To me its using a lydian augmented structure (CM7#5) to render a lydian b7 sonority on (D7b5)

    I can apply this CM7#5 over perhaps E7,B7 and Ab7 (a super locrian approach )

    Will really appreciate your comments or corrections ,I am a student for life and open to your lectures.

    kind regards,

    Stanley Ruiz

    stanleyruiz@hotmail.com

  16. Lee Ramirez

    Dirk, thanks so much for your sharing knowledge on Jazz guitar. What a blessing! One of my favorite chord melody players is Tony Mottola. Please include aome of his works in your teaching! Lee Ramirez

  17. max

    Maj7#5 chords don’t sit well on the guitar. It’s a pretty ugly sound although it can resolve. Why are jazz musicians obsessed with this stuff? Little wonder there are no audiences! Maj7#5 chords should come with a (financial) health warning.

    1. Adam Smale

      That’s why I tend not to vist forums like this very often because of excruciatingly asinine comments like this one our friend max left!

      1. Stanley

        ADAM I AGREE WITH YOU, THIS GUY MAX DOES NOT UNDERSTAND JAZZ AS A LANGUAGE AND PERHAPS NEED A PREPARATORY COURSE BEFORE ENTERTAINING ANY KIND OF MUSIC DISCOURSE WITH MUSICIANS WHO PERHAPS ARE MORE EXPERIENCED THAN HIS GOOD SELF.

        I RECOMMEND A BASIC JAMEY ABERSOLD ON SCALES AND THE RELATED HARMONIZATIONS

  18. roger bonnici

    So, That’s what I’ve been using? LOL! Sounds Great!

  19. John Ellard

    Interesting lesson, especially the last part, “Maj7#5 Tune Up Comping Study.” I like anything that puts movement between chords; it makes the guitar more piano-like.
    Thanks for the lesson, Matt!

  20. Mike Kolasinski

    all your lessons are incredible!-still working through Killer Joe

  21. Jim

    working on the improve technique for awhile now, this chord is a welcome addition and just adds more dimension to my tunes. Thanks Dirk
    jim

  22. Joseph Urbani

    Thanks for your lessons they are very helpful….much appreciated…joe u…

  23. Mike Delaney

    I agree with you that the Lydian Augmented scale is the chord mode for C Maj7#5. Another thought would be that in the context being used, resolving up or down to release the tension, one could also use the C Bop Major scale (C,D,E,F,G,G#,A,B,C). Of course the trick in either case, while soloing, would be to resolve along with the person comping. I like your idea of using that moving 5th, it certainly adds some color to the progression.

  24. Steve

    Thanks Dirk,

    Another very nice lesson from you. I just bought a looper so I can learn to solo over chords. So this is a very nice lesson for me.

    Greetings from England,

    Steve

  25. javier

    What a great lesson!thank you very much

  26. Big D

    I am intrigued.although my reading skills have become rusty my comphrension did not. I like the move yet striking the note as a root brings forth many possibilities out of the box

  27. Lou

    Anything that can be learned just enhances yor ear and ability. These lessons do that. Keep them coming.

  28. thrush40

    I first encountered this chord in the Rowles tune 502 Blues as played by Wayne Shorter. Great tune. Great chord.

  29. oeblio

    Thanks for the 411.
    The passing chord is cool!

  30. Greg Chambers

    In the section on soloing, third paragraph. Isn’t that an A melodic minor scale, not C? Or, am I missing something?

    1. Matt Warnock

      Hey, yes that’s the A MM scale. Thanks!

  31. Russ

    As a new jazz guitar student this info is extremely helpful.

  32. Billy Stewart

    A great use of the Major #5 is written in the Chick Corea tune ‘Sea Journey’. An interesting way to think of it is a Major chord over a b6 or ‘slash chord’. For example, E/C is another way to name the C major #5. These can also occur in what Nicholas Slonimsky called the Harmonic Major scale [Major scale with a b6]. This type of sound was used in Billy Joel’s vamp to open ‘Just the Way You Are’.

  33. John

    I’ve really been enjoying Jazz Guitar Online’s pointers as they arrive in my inbox. Really appreciate it. Thanks a lot.

  34. Joe Tinari

    I love this chord, I use it almost every chance I get.

  35. ThatsEarlBrother

    It would in my ear provide an unexpected evocation in the right setting that would be pleasant.
    touching an emotion in the listener unexpected.When a player senses that its happening.Well the paycheck no matter how menial just got fatter in the form of self satisfaction.

  36. winfried

    for me it is the coldest and most freezing cord i have ever heard. Very useful in such context.

  37. james podgurski

    i THINK OF A MAJOR 7TH #5 AS THE 3 CHORD IN THE MELODIC MINOR SCALE NICE SOUND.

  38. Cliff

    I think the maj#5 cord is not something that you can usually resolve to at the end of the song unless you want to give it a feeling like this song is not resolved.
    A great example of this chord being used as the first cord and a song, is Gary Burton’s young artist album with Julian Lage “my romance” on the next-generation album.

    1. Adam Smale

      Jim, I think it all depends on what your ear gets used to hearing something as being “resolved.” There was a time when no one would have considered a Maj7 chord be be something available to resolve to either.

      1. Adam Smale

        Jim? I think I meant Cliff…

    2. Anonymous

      Thank you Cliff for bringing this chord usage in Gary Burtons reharmonization of My Romance to my attention. It helps to hear how the chord can be used/

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