Tools / Chords / D 7th

D 7th chord on guitar (D7)

Also written D7, D or D Dominant 7th

D 7th contains D, F♯, A, and C. The open shape uses three fretted notes and two muted strings, keeping the root on the open D string.

Open×-×-0-2-1-2

Positions on the neck1 of 5

How it’s built

D1Root

F♯3Major 3rd

A5Perfect 5th

C♭7Minor 7th

Formula 1, 3, 5, ♭7

Positions on the neck1 of 5

Inversions

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

Root positionD–F♯–A–CD7Bass D

First inversionF♯–A–C–DD7/F♯Bass F♯

Second inversionA–C–D–F♯D7/ABass A

Third inversionC–D–F♯–AD7/CBass C

Why it sounds like that

D 7th is built from the formula 1, 3, 5, ♭7, adding a minor seventh to the D major triad. The ♭7 creates the dominant pull that defines the chord. Compare it with D major, which stops at the major third and fifth.

What goes wrong with D 7th?

Letting the A string ring, which adds an unintended bass note below the root.
Letting the low E string ring, which adds a non-chord tone.
Touching the open D string with the fretting hand, muting it.

When to use it

D 7th is the V chord in G major, appearing in progressions like G–C–D–G (I–IV–V–I). It suits blues, country, and rock. Resolve it to G major.

Changing to and from D 7th

Move to G major by lifting the ring finger and placing the index on the low E string, 3rd fret, while keeping the other fingers.
Slide the shape up two frets to the 5th fret to play E 7th.

Which voicing to use

The open position is the easiest and keeps the root on the D string. The 5th fret barre shape adds the A string for a fuller sound. The D7/F♯ inversion puts F♯ in the bass for a lighter, first-inversion feel.

How do you play a D 7th chord on guitar?

Open

Beginner● On the diagram

D 7th is played in open position as × × 0 2 1 2: middle finger on the G string at fret 2, index finger on the B string at fret 1 and ring finger on the high e string at fret 2. The D string rings open. The low E and A strings stay muted.

Tip — The open shape requires muting two strings while fretting three, which is awkward for beginners.

String-by-string breakdown

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

5th fret

Barre

D 7th is played at the 5th fret as × 5 7 5 7 5: barre your index finger across fret 5, ring finger on the D string at fret 7 and pinky finger on the B string at fret 7. The low E string stays muted.

String-by-string breakdown

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

10th fret

Barre

D 7th is played at the 10th fret as 10 12 10 11 10 10: barre your index finger across fret 10, pinky finger on the A string at fret 12 and ring finger on the G string at fret 11.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
6 (E)	10	1 (barre)	D (1)
5 (A)	12	4	A (5)
4 (D)	10	1 (barre)	C (♭7)
3 (G)	11	3	F♯ (3)
2 (B)	10	1 (barre)	A (5)
1 (e)	10	1 (barre)	D (1)

12th fret

Intermediate

D 7th is played at the 12th fret as × × 12 14 13 14: index finger on the D string at fret 12, ring finger on the G string at fret 14, middle finger on the B string at fret 13 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 14. The low E and A strings stay muted.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
6 (E)	muted	—	—
5 (A)	muted	—	—
4 (D)	12	1	D (1)
3 (G)	14	3	A (5)
2 (B)	13	2	C (♭7)
1 (e)	14	4	F♯ (3)

D7/F♯ inversion

Beginner

D 7th is played in open position as 2 0 0 2 1 2: middle finger on the low E string at fret 2, ring finger on the G string at fret 2, index finger on the B string at fret 1 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 2. The A and D strings ring open.

String-by-string breakdown

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

Common questions

Why are both low strings muted in D 7th?

The low E is not a chord tone, and the A string is muted to preserve the D bass note. Both mutes keep the voicing clean.

How does D 7th differ from D major?

D 7th adds a C note, the minor seventh, to the D major triad. That note gives the chord its dominant tension.

Can I play D 7th as a barre chord?

Yes, the 5th fret barre shape is a moveable voicing with the root on the A string. It is useful for higher positions.

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

muted

—

5 (A)

muted

—

4 (D)

open

—

D (1)

3 (G)

A (5)

2 (B)

C (♭7)

1 (e)

F♯ (3)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

muted

—

5 (A)

1 (barre)

D (1)

4 (D)

A (5)

3 (G)

1 (barre)

C (♭7)

2 (B)

F♯ (3)

1 (e)

1 (barre)

A (5)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

1 (barre)

D (1)

5 (A)

A (5)

4 (D)

1 (barre)

C (♭7)

3 (G)

F♯ (3)

2 (B)

1 (barre)

A (5)

1 (e)

1 (barre)

D (1)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

muted

—

5 (A)

muted

—

4 (D)

D (1)

3 (G)

A (5)

2 (B)

C (♭7)

1 (e)

F♯ (3)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

F♯ (3)

5 (A)

open

—

A (5)

4 (D)

open

—

D (1)

3 (G)

A (5)

2 (B)

C (♭7)

1 (e)

F♯ (3)