Also written D7♯5, D or D Dominant 7th ♯5
D 7th sharp 5 contains D, F♯, A♯ and C. The default voicing at fret 3 is a compact stretch that still requires careful finger independence.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
D 7th sharp 5 is built from the formula 1, 3, ♯5, ♭7. The augmented 5th between D and A♯ gives the chord its tense, unresolved quality. Compare it to D 7th, which has a perfect 5th instead.
D 7th sharp 5 works as a dominant chord in jazz and blues, often resolving to G major. It suits tense, chromatic passages and pairs with the D altered scale.
The D7♯5/A♯ inversion at fret 3 puts the augmented 5th in the bass, creating a strong pull to G. The D7♯5/C inversion at fret 5 is higher but less stable.
D 7th sharp 5 is played at the 2nd fret as 3 2 2 3: ring finger on the G string at fret 3, index finger on the C string at fret 2, middle finger on the E string at fret 2 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 3.
Tip — The stretch between the index finger on fret 2 and the pinky on fret 3 across the outer strings is demanding.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3 | 3 | A♯ (♯5) |
| 3 (C) | 2 | 1 | D (1) |
| 2 (E) | 2 | 2 | F♯ (3) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 4 | C (♭7) |
D 7th sharp 5 is played in open position as 3 0 2 5: middle finger on the G string at fret 3, index 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) | 3 | 2 | A♯ (♯5) |
| 3 (C) | open | — | C (♭7) |
| 2 (E) | 2 | 1 | F♯ (3) |
| 1 (A) | 5 | 3 | D (1) |
D 7th sharp 5 is played at the 5th fret as 5 6 6 5: index finger on the G string at fret 5, ring finger on the C string at fret 6, pinky finger on the E string at fret 6 and middle finger on the A string at fret 5.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5 | 1 | C (♭7) |
| 3 (C) | 6 | 3 | F♯ (3) |
| 2 (E) | 6 | 4 | A♯ (♯5) |
| 1 (A) | 5 | 2 | D (1) |
D 7th sharp 5 is written as D7♯5 or D7+. The symbol D7♯5 is most common.
D 7th sharp 5 adds a minor 7th to the augmented triad. D augmented contains only D, F♯ and A♯, while D 7th sharp 5 includes C.
The augmented 5th creates an unstable interval that wants to resolve. The minor 7th adds further dissonance, making the chord highly directional.