The Minor-Major 7 Chord
Dark triad, bright top note — the minor-major 7 chord is the sound of suspense, spy movies, and unresolved longing.
The formula
A minor-major 7 chord (written mMaj7 or m(maj7)) combines a minor triad with a major 7th: 0-3-7-11 semitones. That's a darker foundation than a regular major 7 chord, topped with the same bright 7th — an unusual, striking combination.
Where it lives naturally
Build a seventh chord on the tonic of the harmonic minor scale or melodic minor scale (ascending), and you get minor-major 7 automatically — both scales keep the minor 3rd while raising the 7th degree. It's the chord you get "for free" whenever a minor key's tonic wants that extra dramatic pull.
Common questions
What is the formula for a minor-major 7 chord?
Root, minor 3rd, perfect 5th, major 7th (0-3-7-11) — a minor triad with a major 7th on top.
Where does the minor-major 7 chord occur naturally?
As the tonic chord of harmonic minor or melodic minor (ascending), since both raise the 7th while keeping the minor 3rd.
Why does the minor-major 7 chord sound so dramatic?
It pairs a dark minor foundation with a bright major 7th sitting a half-step below the octave, creating tense, cinematic color.
How is minor-major 7 different from a regular minor 7 chord?
Minor 7 uses a minor 7th on top (0-3-7-10); minor-major 7 raises that one note to a major 7th (0-3-7-11).
Play every 7th chord on your instrument
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