Learning the major seventh chords

To learn the major seventh chords, all you do is add a note at the end to the major chords. For example:

The C major chord is (C, E, G), so the C major seventh chord is (C, E, G, B). The last note B is added.

As with the major chords, the best way to learn the major seventh chords is in the order of the key signatures on the circle of fifths. Know that C is at the 12 o'clock position on the circle of fifths. This will be the starting point.

To the right of C on the circle of fifths, the key signatures with sharps, in order from 1 to 7 are G, D, A, E, B, F#, and C#. If you don't remember this order, just remember the phrase "Goes Down And Ends Battle Father Charles". The first letter of each word is the order: G, D, A, E, B, F#, and C#. Notice that the last two, F# and C# have sharps in their name.

The major seventh chords below are grouped into weather the last note in the chord is sharp. This is an easy way to remember them.

The C major seventh chord is (C, E, G, B). No sharp for the last note.

The G major seventh chord is (G, B, D, F#). The last note is sharp.
The D major seventh chord is (D, F#, A, C#). The last note is sharp.
The A major seventh chord is (A, C#, E, G#). The last note is sharp.
The E major seventh chord is (E, G#, B, D#). The last note is sharp.
The B major seventh chord is (B, D#, F#, A#). The last note is sharp.
The F# major seventh chord is (F#, A#, C#, E#). The last note is sharp.
The C# major seventh chord is (C#, E#, G#, B#). The last note is sharp.

As you can see, the last note is sharp on all of them except for the C major seventh chord which is just B.

To the left of C on the circle of fifths, the key signatures with flats, in order from 1 to 7 are F, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, and Cb. If you don't remember this order, just remember the phrase "Father's Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles". The first letter of each word is the order: F, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, and Cb. Notice that they all have flats in their name except the F.

The major seventh chords below are grouped into weather the last note in the chord is flat. This is an easy way to remember them.

The F major seventh chord is (F, A, C, E). No flat for the last note.
The Bb major seventh chord is (Bb, D, F, A). No flat for the last note.
The Eb major seventh chord is (Eb, G, Bb, D). No flat for the last note.
The Ab major seventh chord is (Ab, C, Eb, G). No flat for the last note.
The Db major seventh chord is (Db, F, Ab, C). No flat for the last note.
The Gb major seventh chord is (Gb, Bb, Db, F). No flat for the last note.

The Cb major seventh chord is (Cb, Eb, Gb, Bb). The last note is flat.

As you can see, the only chord that has a flat last note is the Cb major seventh chord.

Try to memorize all of these major seventh chords. Once you know the major chords, you are just adding a note on for the major seventh chords. That is why learning the major chords first are important. Other four note chords: minor seventh and dominant seventh can be learned if you know the major seventh chords, but with some minor changes.