Also written D7, D or D Dominant 7th
D 7th contains D, F♯, A, and C. This barre shape at the 2nd fret gives the chord a full, ringing sound.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
D 7th is built from the formula 1, 3, 5, ♭7. The minor 7th interval from D to C creates the dominant quality, and the diminished 5th between F♯ and C adds tension. Compare with D major to hear the difference.
D 7th is the V chord in G major, resolving to G major in progressions like G–C–D–G (I–IV–V–I). Use it in blues, country, and rock for a strong dominant pull. It also works over D major and D 5th riffs.
The 2nd fret barre shape is the default and has D in the bass. The D7/C inversion at frets 2-0-2-5 puts C in the bass and is easier for beginners. The D7/F♯ inversion at frets 5-6-5-5 has F♯ in the bass and suits fingerpicking.
D 7th is played at the 2nd fret as 2 2 2 3: barre your index finger across fret 2 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 3.
Tip — The index barre must fret the G, C, and E strings cleanly at fret 2 while the pinky reaches fret 3 on the A string.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2 | 1 (barre) | A (5) |
| 3 (C) | 2 | 1 (barre) | D (1) |
| 2 (E) | 2 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (3) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 4 | C (♭7) |
D 7th is played in open position as 2 0 2 5: index finger on the G string at fret 2, middle finger on the E string at fret 2 and ring finger on the A string at fret 5. The C string rings open.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2 | 1 | A (5) |
| 3 (C) | open | — | C (♭7) |
| 2 (E) | 2 | 2 | F♯ (3) |
| 1 (A) | 5 | 3 | D (1) |
D 7th is played at the 5th fret as 5 6 5 5: index finger on the G string at fret 5, pinky finger on the C string at fret 6, middle finger on the E string at fret 5 and ring finger on the A string at fret 5.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5 | 1 | C (♭7) |
| 3 (C) | 6 | 4 | F♯ (3) |
| 2 (E) | 5 | 2 | A (5) |
| 1 (A) | 5 | 3 | D (1) |
D 7th is played at the 7th fret as 7 9 8 9: index finger on the G string at fret 7, ring finger on the C string at fret 9, middle finger on the E string at fret 8 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 9.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 7 | 1 | D (1) |
| 3 (C) | 9 | 3 | A (5) |
| 2 (E) | 8 | 2 | C (♭7) |
| 1 (A) | 9 | 4 | F♯ (3) |
D 7th is played at the 10th fret as 11 12 10 12: middle finger on the G string at fret 11, ring finger on the C string at fret 12, index finger on the E string at fret 10 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 12.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 11 | 2 | F♯ (3) |
| 3 (C) | 12 | 3 | C (♭7) |
| 2 (E) | 10 | 1 | D (1) |
| 1 (A) | 12 | 4 | A (5) |
D 7th is written as D7. It is also called Dominant 7th or Major Minor 7th.
D7 has a minor 7th (C), while Dmaj7 has a major 7th (C♯). The minor 7th gives D7 its dominant, bluesy tension. Dmaj7 sounds smoother and more resolved.
The lowest sounding note is the G string at fret 2, which is D. The barre covers the G, C, and E strings at the same fret. This makes the chord root position.
Yes, D7 often substitutes for D major in blues and rock to add a dominant flavor. In G major progressions, D7 strengthens the pull back to G. In other contexts, the added C may clash with the melody.