Hey Friend,
I really dig major 7th chords - I like how they sound and how they interact with other chords.
I guess it’s probably that hopeful feeling the chord emotes, like you’re anticipating things will get better.
That’s how it feels to me, at least. Any thoughts? Do you get a different vibe?
The exercises today have us substituting a major chord for a major 7th chord.
The progression is I IV V I, which you’ll see in the second system on the PDF.
Again, a very common progression used in many styles of music. It has a very “matter of fact” quality to it - using all major chords will tend to do that.
When we get to the third system, substituting the IV chord with a IV7M chord has a softer sound. It's not as sure of itself as a major chord, but there is that anticipation and hopefulness you can feel.
The progression is now I IV7M V I.
The color change is all because of that 7th note from the scale. This time, instead of a minor 7th note, we use the major 7th added to the chord.
Again, the shift of one little note by one fret makes all the difference...
Something to keep in mind: you don’t have to play these chords as barres. If barre chords are still difficult for you and that’s interfering with learning the chords, then simply play them without the full barre.
With major chords, you don’t need the barre at all - just play the E and A shapes in the exercises.
The 7th chords do require you to use all four fingers, because there are four notes to the chord. Your index finger will have to reach farthest to provide the root note for the chord.
So when you go to play the C7M, your index finger must reach over to the fifth string, third fret to play the C note of the chord. Your other fingers can continue to do what they were doing as part of the barre version.
Alright, alright, happy Hump Day!
Peace~
Dave | 
