Tools / Chords / D augmented major 7th

D augmented major 7th chord on ukulele (DaugMaj7)

Also written DaugMaj7, DaugM7 or D+M7

D augmented major 7th contains D, F♯, A♯, and C♯. The default voicing spans frets 2–4 and requires a stretch between the index and pinky.

2nd fret3-2-2-4

Positions on the neck1 of 3

How it’s built

D1Root

F♯3Major 3rd

A♯♯5Augmented 5th

C♯7Major 7th

Formula 1, 3, ♯5, 7

Positions on the neck1 of 3

Inversions

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

Root positionD–F♯–A♯–C♯DaugMaj7Bass D

First inversionF♯–A♯–C♯–DDaugMaj7/F♯Bass F♯

Second inversionA♯–C♯–D–F♯DaugMaj7/A♯Bass A♯

Third inversionC♯–D–F♯–A♯DaugMaj7/C♯Bass C♯

Why it sounds like that

D augmented major 7th is built from 1, 3, ♯5, and 7. The augmented 5th A♯ gives the chord its bright, tense quality. Compared to D major 7th, only the fifth is raised a semitone.

What goes wrong with D augmented major 7th?

The pinky collapses and mutes the 1st string instead of fretting fret 4 cleanly.
The index finger leans on the 4th string, causing fret 3 to buzz.

When to use it

D augmented major 7th works as a passing chord in D major progressions, such as D–G–A, the I–IV–V in D major. D augmented major 7th suits jazz and cinematic textures where the raised fifth adds tension. Try D augmented major 7th before D major or D major 7th.

Changing to and from D augmented major 7th

Slide the shape down one fret to the 1st fret to reach C♯ augmented major 7th.

Which voicing to use

The DaugM7/A♯ inversion places A♯ in the bass for a darker, unstable sound. The DaugM7/C♯ inversion, with C♯ in the bass, is brighter and more resolved.

How do you play a D augmented major 7th chord on ukulele?

2nd fret

Intermediate● On the diagram

D augmented major 7th is played at the 2nd fret as 3 2 2 4: 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 4.

Tip — The pinky must reach fret 4 on the 1st string while the index and middle fingers hold fret 2, requiring a wide stretch.

String-by-string 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)	4	4	C♯ (7)

DaugM7/F♯ inversion · fret 5

Intermediate

D augmented major 7th is played at the 5th fret as 6 6 6 5: middle finger on the G string at fret 6, ring finger on the C string at fret 6, pinky finger on the E string at fret 6 and index finger on the A string at fret 5.

String-by-string breakdown

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

DaugM7/F♯ inversion · fret 4

Intermediate

D augmented major 7th is played at the 4th fret as 7 6 6 4: pinky finger on the G string at fret 7, middle finger on the C string at fret 6, ring finger on the E string at fret 6 and index finger on the A string at fret 4.

String-by-string breakdown

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

Common questions

How is D augmented major 7th written?

D augmented major 7th is written D+M7, M7#5, maj+7, or DaugM7.

What is the difference between D augmented major 7th and D major 7th?

D augmented major 7th has a raised fifth, A♯, while D major 7th has A natural. The raised fifth creates a more dissonant, tense sound.

Why does D augmented major 7th have no tritone?

D augmented major 7th contains no tritone because the interval between F♯ and C♯ is a perfect fifth, not a diminished fifth.

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (G)

A♯ (♯5)

3 (C)

D (1)

2 (E)

F♯ (3)

1 (A)

C♯ (7)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (G)

C♯ (7)

3 (C)

F♯ (3)

2 (E)

A♯ (♯5)

1 (A)

D (1)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (G)

D (1)

3 (C)

F♯ (3)

2 (E)

A♯ (♯5)

1 (A)

C♯ (7)