Also written DmMaj7, Dminmaj7 or Dmmaj7
D minor major 7th is built from D, F, A and C♯. The 10th-fret shape demands a wide pinky stretch, so it is not a first chord.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
D minor major 7th is built from the formula 1, ♭3, 5, 7. The ♭3 gives it the minor quality, while the major 7th adds a sharp, tense edge. Compare with D minor, which stops at the ♭7.
D minor major 7th works as a passing chord in minor keys, often between D minor and E minor 7th flat 5th. It suits jazz ballads and film-noir textures where the major 7th adds a bittersweet lift.
The 10th-fret voicing puts D in the bass for a clear root position. The C♯ inversion at the 9th fret places the major 7th in the bass, creating a darker, more unstable sound.
D minor major 7th is played at the 10th fret as 10 12 11 10: index finger on the E string at fret 10, pinky finger on the A string at fret 12, ring finger on the D string at fret 11 and middle finger on the G string at fret 10.
Tip — The pinky must reach the 12th fret on the A string while the index holds the 10th fret on the E string.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 10 | 1 | D (1) |
| 3 (A) | 12 | 4 | A (5) |
| 2 (D) | 11 | 3 | C♯ (7) |
| 1 (G) | 10 | 2 | F (♭3) |
D minor major 7th is played at the 7th fret as 9 8 7 7: barre your index finger across fret 7, ring finger on the E string at fret 9 and middle finger on the A string at fret 8.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 9 | 3 | C♯ (7) |
| 3 (A) | 8 | 2 | F (♭3) |
| 2 (D) | 7 | 1 (barre) | A (5) |
| 1 (G) | 7 | 1 (barre) | D (1) |
D minor major 7th is written Dmmaj7, mmaj7, mM7 or Dminmaj7. It is also called Minor Sharp 7 or Minor ♯7.
D minor major 7th has a major 7th (C♯), while D minor 7th has a minor 7th (C). The major 7th creates a sharper, more dissonant sound.
Yes, in D harmonic minor or D melodic minor, D minor major 7th is the tonic chord. It provides a strong sense of resolution with a distinctive color.