Explore chords · Ukulele
D 7th sharp 5 chord on ukulele (D7♯5)
Also called or 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.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, ♯5, ♭7
How do you play a D 7th sharp 5 chord on ukulele?
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.
Full note and interval breakdown
| 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) |
AdvancedThe stretch between the index finger on fret 2 and the pinky on fret 3 across the outer strings is demanding.
D7♯5/F♯ inversion
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.
Full note and interval breakdown
| 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) |
Why it sounds like that
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.
What goes wrong with D 7th sharp 5?
- The pinky flattens and deadens the A string next to it.
- The ring finger on the G string leans into the C string, causing a buzz.
When to use it
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.
Changing to and from D 7th sharp 5
- Sliding the shape down one fret to the 1st fret gives C♯ 7th sharp 5.
- Sliding the shape up one fret to the 3rd fret gives E♭ 7th sharp 5.
Which voicing to use
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.
Other D chords
Common questions
How is D 7th sharp 5 written?
D 7th sharp 5 is written as D7♯5 or D7+. The symbol D7♯5 is most common.
What is the difference between D 7th sharp 5 and D augmented?
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.
Why does D 7th sharp 5 sound so tense?
The augmented 5th creates an unstable interval that wants to resolve. The minor 7th adds further dissonance, making the chord highly directional.