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D minor major 7th chord on bass (DmMaj7)
Also called or written DmMaj7, Dminmaj7, Dmmaj7, DmM7, D Minor Sharp 7 or D Minor ♯7
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.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 5, 7
- Root positionD–F–A–C♯DmMaj710-12-11-10
- First inversionF–A–C♯–DDmMaj7/Fno shape on this instrument
- Second inversionA–C♯–D–FDmMaj7/Ano shape on this instrument
- Third inversionC♯–D–F–ADmMaj7/C♯9-8-7-7
How do you play a D minor major 7th chord on bass?
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.
Full note and interval breakdown
| 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) |
AdvancedThe pinky must reach the 12th fret on the A string while the index holds the 10th fret on the E string.
Dminmaj7/C♯ inversion
D minor major 7th is played at the 7th fret as 9 8 7 7: pinky finger on the E string at fret 9, ring finger on the A string at fret 8, index finger on the D string at fret 7 and middle finger on the G string at fret 7.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 9 | 4 | C♯ (7) |
| 3 (A) | 8 | 3 | F (♭3) |
| 2 (D) | 7 | 1 | A (5) |
| 1 (G) | 7 | 2 | D (1) |
Why it sounds like that
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.
What goes wrong with D minor major 7th?
- Letting the pinky collapse so the 12th fret on the A string buzzes.
- Arching the middle finger onto the D string, deadening the 11th fret.
- Rushing the stretch so the index finger slides sharp from the 10th fret.
When to use it
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.
Changing to and from D minor major 7th
- Sliding the shape down two frets to the 8th fret gives C minor major 7th.
- Sliding the shape down one fret to the 9th fret gives C♯ minor major 7th.
Which voicing to use
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.
Other D chords
Common questions
How is D minor major 7th written?
D minor major 7th is written Dmmaj7, mmaj7, mM7 or Dminmaj7. It is also called Minor Sharp 7 or Minor ♯7.
What is the difference between D minor major 7th and D minor 7th?
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.
Can D minor major 7th be used as a tonic chord?
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.