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Piano chord

Bm(maj7) Piano Chord

Bm(maj7) is a minor major 7th chord rooted on B. 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.

B1
D♭3
F♯5
A♯7

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.

Root position
B1D2F♯3A♯5

The root is on the bottom — planted and stable.

1st inversion
D1F♯2A♯3B5

b3 in the bass — same chord, new posture.

2nd inversion
F♯1A♯2B3D5

5 in the bass — same chord, new posture.

3rd inversion
A♯1B2D3F♯5

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.

Minor Major 7th chords in other keys

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