Piano chord
Am(maj7) Piano Chord
Am(maj7) is a minor major 7th chord rooted on A. A minor triad with a major 7th. The clash between the flat third and the leading tone is why this is the film-noir chord.
The notes
4 notes. Every inversion below is these same notes in a different order.
How to play it
Root position first, then each inversion. Numbers next to each note are right-hand fingers — 1 is the thumb. Tap a key to hear it, or play the whole chord.
The root is on the bottom — planted and stable.
b3 in the bass — same chord, new posture.
5 in the bass — same chord, new posture.
7 in the bass — same chord, new posture.
Which inversion should you use?
Whichever one your hand is already near. Inversions exist so consecutive chords can share keys — instead of jumping the whole hand to a new root position, you move a finger or two and the chords melt into each other. That is most of what separates piano playing that sounds smooth from piano playing that sounds like a series of separate grabs.