Also written DdimMaj7, DdimM7 or D°M7
D diminished major 7th contains D, F, A♭, and C♯. The default 1st fret shape spreads the fingers across four frets with the pinky on the 4th fret.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
D diminished major 7th is built from the formula 1, ♭3, ♭5, 7. The major 7th interval between D and C♯ gives it a sharp leading tone. Compare it to D minor 7th flat 5th, which lowers the 7th to C.
D diminished major 7th works as a passing chord in D minor or D major contexts. Use it to lead into D minor or D major. Its tense sound suits jazz and gypsy minor lines.
The 1st fret shape keeps the bass on D, giving a clear root. The DdimM7/F inversion moves the bass to F for a softer sound, and the DdimM7/A♭ inversion puts the diminished 5th in the bass for a darker edge.
D diminished major 7th is played at the 1st fret as 1 2 1 4: index finger on the G string at fret 1, ring finger on the C string at fret 2, middle finger on the E string at fret 1 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 4.
Tip — The pinky must reach the 4th fret on the A string while the other fingers hold a close cluster.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1 | 1 | A♭ (♭5) |
| 3 (C) | 2 | 3 | D (1) |
| 2 (E) | 1 | 2 | F (♭3) |
| 1 (A) | 4 | 4 | C♯ (7) |
D diminished major 7th is played at the 4th fret as 6 5 4 5: pinky finger on the G string at fret 6, middle finger on the C string at fret 5, index finger on the E string at fret 4 and ring finger on the A string at fret 5.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6 | 4 | C♯ (7) |
| 3 (C) | 5 | 2 | F (♭3) |
| 2 (E) | 4 | 1 | A♭ (♭5) |
| 1 (A) | 5 | 3 | D (1) |
D diminished major 7th is played at the 7th fret as 7 8 9 8: index finger on the G string at fret 7, middle finger on the C string at fret 8, pinky finger on the E string at fret 9 and ring finger on the A string at fret 8.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 7 | 1 | D (1) |
| 3 (C) | 8 | 2 | A♭ (♭5) |
| 2 (E) | 9 | 4 | C♯ (7) |
| 1 (A) | 8 | 3 | F (♭3) |
D diminished major 7th is played at the 4th fret as 7 5 4 4: barre your index finger across fret 4, ring finger on the G string at fret 7 and middle finger on the C string at fret 5.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 7 | 3 | D (1) |
| 3 (C) | 5 | 2 | F (♭3) |
| 2 (E) | 4 | 1 (barre) | A♭ (♭5) |
| 1 (A) | 4 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (7) |
D diminished major 7th is written D°M7 or DdimM7. It is also called augmented minor seventh or minor seventh sharp five.
D diminished major 7th has a major 7th (C♯), while D minor 7th flat 5th has a minor 7th (C). That one semitone changes the chord's color completely.
D diminished major 7th contains a tritone between D and A♭ and a major 7th between D and C♯. Both intervals create strong dissonance that wants to resolve.