Imaj7–IVmaj7 in C Major

Pattern: Imaj7 – IVmaj7 Chords: Cmaj7 – Fmaj7

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
Imaj7	Cmaj7 (details)	major seventh	Tonic
IVmaj7	Fmaj7 (details)	major seventh	Subdominant

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through Cmaj7 (Tonic) → Fmaj7 (Subdominant).

The Imaj7–IVmaj7 progression is a foundational jazz and R&B movement, floating between two lush major seventh chords. Both chords share a dreamy, unresolved quality, and the motion between them creates a gentle harmonic rocking that avoids strong tension. This two-chord vamp is the bedrock of bossa nova, neo-soul, and lo-fi aesthetics.

Song Examples

The Girl from Ipanema — Jobim
Don't Know Why — Norah Jones
Fallin' — Alicia Keys

Chord Details

Cmaj7 Fmaj7

More Progressions in C Major

I–IV–V–I I–V–vi–IV I–vi–IV–V ii–V–I I–IV–V I–♭VII–IV vi–IV–I–V I–V–vi–iii–IV–I–IV–V I–IV I–V IV–V IV–I

Related Progressions

I–IV Imaj7–ii–V IVmaj7–iii7–ii7–V7