Also written Dmaj7 or DM7
D major 7th contains D, F♯, A, and C♯. The open voicing mutes the low E and A strings, so the bass note stays clear.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
D major 7th is built from the formula 1, 3, 5, 7. The major 7th interval from D to C♯ gives the chord its dreamy quality. Compare it with D major, which stops at the 5th.
D major 7th is the tonic in D major, so it works in the I–IV–V–I progression D–G–A–D. It also suits the I–V–vi–IV of D–A–B minor–G. Use it for jazz, neo-soul, or any style needing a warm, unresolved major sound.
The open voicing keeps D as the bass note and is easiest for quick changes. The 5th fret shape uses a barre for a fuller sound, while the 10th fret shape drops the low strings for a lighter texture.
D major 7th is played in open position as × × 0 2 2 2: barre your index finger across fret 2. The D string rings open. The low E and A strings stay muted.
Tip — The open voicing requires muting two strings while barring three strings cleanly with the index finger.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | muted | — | — |
| 4 (D) | open | — | D (1) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 1 (barre) | A (5) |
| 2 (B) | 2 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (7) |
| 1 (e) | 2 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (3) |
D major 7th is played at the 5th fret as × 5 7 6 7 5: barre your index finger across fret 5, ring finger on the D string at fret 7, middle finger on the G string at fret 6 and pinky finger on the B string at fret 7. The low E string stays muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 5 | 1 (barre) | D (1) |
| 4 (D) | 7 | 3 | A (5) |
| 3 (G) | 6 | 2 | C♯ (7) |
| 2 (B) | 7 | 4 | F♯ (3) |
| 1 (e) | 5 | 1 (barre) | A (5) |
D major 7th is played at the 10th fret as 10 12 11 11 10 10: barre your index finger across fret 10, pinky finger on the A string at fret 12, middle finger on the D string at fret 11 and ring finger on the G string at fret 11.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 10 | 1 (barre) | D (1) |
| 5 (A) | 12 | 4 | A (5) |
| 4 (D) | 11 | 2 | C♯ (7) |
| 3 (G) | 11 | 3 | F♯ (3) |
| 2 (B) | 10 | 1 (barre) | A (5) |
| 1 (e) | 10 | 1 (barre) | D (1) |
D major 7th is played at the 12th fret as × × 12 14 14 14: index finger on the D string at fret 12, middle finger on the G string at fret 14, ring finger on the B string at fret 14 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 14. The low E and A strings stay muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | muted | — | — |
| 4 (D) | 12 | 1 | D (1) |
| 3 (G) | 14 | 2 | A (5) |
| 2 (B) | 14 | 3 | C♯ (7) |
| 1 (e) | 14 | 4 | F♯ (3) |
D major 7th is played in open position as 2 0 0 2 2 2: index finger on the low E string at fret 2, middle finger on the G string at fret 2, ring finger on the B string at fret 2 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 2. The A and D strings ring open.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2 | 1 | F♯ (3) |
| 5 (A) | open | — | A (5) |
| 4 (D) | open | — | D (1) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 2 | A (5) |
| 2 (B) | 2 | 3 | C♯ (7) |
| 1 (e) | 2 | 4 | F♯ (3) |
D major 7th is written as DM7 or Dmaj7.
D major 7th adds the C♯, a major 7th above D. D major contains only D, F♯, and A.
The low E is not a chord tone, and the A is a chord tone but muted to preserve the intended bass note D.