IVmaj7

IVmaj7, also called the subdominant major seventh, is a diatonic seventh chord built on the fourth degree of a major scale. It consists of a root, a major third, a perfect fifth, and a major seventh. In C major, the IV chord is F major, so IVmaj7 is Fmaj7, spelled F–A–C–E.

Function and typical use: As a subdominant color, IVmaj7 provides a smooth transition toward the dominant (V) or the tonic (I). Common progressions include IVmaj7–V–I or IVmaj7–I, where the voice leading emphasizes shared tones and stepwise movement. In jazz and pop, IVmaj7 is often extended to include tensions such as IVmaj9 or IVmaj11 to add color.

Key context and variation: IVmaj7 is diatonic in major keys. In minor keys, a IVmaj7 chord is usually a borrowed or modal-interchange chord, since the natural subdominant triad is often minor (iv) in minor keys. The major seventh above the subdominant creates a bright, slightly jazzy sound that contrasts with the simpler subdominant triad.

Voicing and practical notes: On piano or guitar, common voicings include root-position Fmaj7 (F–A–C–E) and inversions such as A–C–E–F, C–E–F–A, or E–F–A–C. Jazz players frequently add extensions (e.g., Fmaj9, Fmaj11) to enrich the harmony while preserving the IVmaj7 function.