Tools / Chords / D 7th sharp 5

D 7th sharp 5 chord on bass (D7♯5)

Also written D7♯5, D or D Dominant 7th ♯5

D 7th sharp 5 is built from D, F♯, A♯, and C. The open D string anchors this shape and makes it more approachable.

D7♯5/F♯ inversion2-3-0-3

Positions on the neck1 of 3

How it’s built

D1Root

F♯3Major 3rd

A♯♯5Augmented 5th

C♭7Minor 7th

Formula 1, 3, ♯5, ♭7

Positions on the neck1 of 3

Inversions

The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.

Root positionD–F♯–A♯–CD7♯5Bass D

First inversionF♯–A♯–C–DD7♯5/F♯Bass F♯

Second inversionA♯–C–D–F♯D7♯5/A♯Bass A♯

Third inversionC–D–F♯–A♯D7♯5/CBass C

Why it sounds like that

D 7th sharp 5 uses the formula 1, 3, ♯5, ♭7. The raised fifth A♯ creates the augmented-dominant tension. Compare it with D 7th, which has a perfect fifth A.

What goes wrong with D 7th sharp 5?

Letting the index finger touch the open D string mutes it.
Pressing the middle finger too hard on the 3rd fret bends the 3rd string sharp.
Failing to arch the ring finger on the 3rd fret deadens the 1st string.

When to use it

D 7th sharp 5 functions as a dominant in D major, often leading to D major. It fits jazz, blues, and funk progressions that need an altered dominant.

Changing to and from D 7th sharp 5

From D 7th sharp 5, move the index finger to the 1st fret and the middle finger to the 2nd fret for D 7th.

Which voicing to use

The D7♯5/F♯ inversion places the major third in the bass for a bright, leading sound. The A♯ inversions put the raised fifth low, giving a tense dominant feel.

How do you play a D 7th sharp 5 chord on bass?

D7♯5/F♯ inversion

Beginner● On the diagram

D 7th sharp 5 is played in open position as 2 3 0 3: index finger on the E string at fret 2, middle finger on the A string at fret 3 and ring finger on the G string at fret 3. The D string rings open.

Tip — The stretch between the 2nd fret and 3rd fret across four strings is moderate, but the open string requires careful hand positioning.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (E)	2	1	F♯ (3)
3 (A)	3	2	C (♭7)
2 (D)	open	—	D (1)
1 (G)	3	3	A♯ (♯5)

D7♯5/A♯ inversion

Intermediate

D 7th sharp 5 is played at the 4th fret as 6 5 4 5: pinky finger on the E string at fret 6, middle finger on the A string at fret 5, index finger on the D string at fret 4 and ring finger on the G string at fret 5.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (E)	6	4	A♯ (♯5)
3 (A)	5	2	D (1)
2 (D)	4	1	F♯ (3)
1 (G)	5	3	C (♭7)

D7♯5/C inversion

Intermediate

D 7th sharp 5 is played at the 7th fret as 8 9 8 7: middle finger on the E string at fret 8, pinky finger on the A string at fret 9, ring finger on the D string at fret 8 and index finger on the G string at fret 7.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (E)	8	2	C (♭7)
3 (A)	9	4	F♯ (3)
2 (D)	8	3	A♯ (♯5)
1 (G)	7	1	D (1)

Common questions

How is D 7th sharp 5 written?

D 7th sharp 5 is written as D7♯5 or D. The symbol D7♯5 is most common. The displayed shape preserves only the supplied notes and interval formula.

What is the difference between D 7th sharp 5 and D augmented?

D 7th sharp 5 adds a flat seventh C to the augmented triad D–F♯–A♯. D augmented is just the triad. The flat seventh makes it a dominant chord.

Can D 7th sharp 5 be played without open strings?

Yes, the D7♯5/A♯ inversion at frets 6-5-4-5 has no open strings. It is higher and brighter. The open-string version is easier for beginners.

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (E)

F♯ (3)

3 (A)

C (♭7)

2 (D)

open

—

D (1)

1 (G)

A♯ (♯5)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (E)

A♯ (♯5)

3 (A)

D (1)

2 (D)

F♯ (3)

1 (G)

C (♭7)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (E)

C (♭7)

3 (A)

F♯ (3)

2 (D)

A♯ (♯5)

1 (G)

D (1)