The short version
- D7 is D seventh. Its notes are D, F♯, A and C (formula 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7).
- Easiest way to play it: the open shape, frets x x 0 2 1 2 from low E to high E (x = don’t play).
- It sounds bluesy, restless, waiting to resolve. Use it as the V7 that pulls a song home, or play every chord as a 7th and congratulations, you’re in a 12-bar blues.
- D7 turns up in 2 keys: G major (as the V7) and E minor (as the VII7).
- Try it in: D7 – G7 – D7 – A7, the bones of a 12-bar blues.
How to play D7 on guitar, step by step
Start with the shape marked “Start here” above: the open chord, the easiest way in.
- Put your index finger on fret 1 of the 2nd (B) string.
- Put your middle finger on fret 2 of the 3rd (G) string.
- Put your ring finger on fret 2 of the 1st (high E) string.
- Let the D string ring open.
- Don’t play the low E and A strings: skip them, or touch them lightly with a spare finger so they can’t ring.
- Strum from the 4th (D) string down, then press Strum on this page to check it sounds the same.
Once that’s comfy, try the other 2 shapes. Shape 2 is the barre chord, root on the 5th string (5th fret): x 5 7 5 7 5. Shape 3 is the barre chord, root on the 6th string (10th fret): 10 12 10 11 10 10. Same chord, different spot on the neck, which helps when the next chord lives nearby.
Buzzing? Press just behind the fret wire, not in the middle of the fret, and come down on your fingertips so they don’t touch the next string. Then press Strum and play along: if yours sounds duller, one string is muted somewhere.
Notes in the D7 chord
D7 is built from 4 notes. On guitar you’ll often play some of them twice, on different strings. That’s normal; the chord is still D7.
| Note | Interval | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| D | 1 root | Names the chord and anchors the bass. |
| F♯ | 3 major third | Makes it major (happy). |
| A | 5 perfect fifth | Adds weight; often the first note left out. |
| C | ♭7 minor (flat) seventh | The bluesy pull towards the next chord. |
What D7 sounds like, and when to use it
A major chord with a flattened seventh on top. It sounds like it’s standing by the door with its coat on: it wants to go somewhere, usually to the chord a fifth below. Blues runs on these. Use it as the V7 that pulls a song home, or play every chord as a 7th and congratulations, you’re in a 12-bar blues.
What key is D7 in?
D7 turns up in 2 keys: G major (as the V7) and E minor (as the VII7). Tap a key to see the rest of its chords on the circle of fifths.
| Key | Numeral | Spelled as |
|---|---|---|
| G major | V7 | D7 |
| E minor | VII7 | D7 |
Chords that go with D7
Here’s a progression to try: D7 – G7 – D7 – A7 (I7–IV7–I7–V7), the bones of a 12-bar blues.
More progressions → Transpose it →
Using D7 in a Suno prompt
Suno pays attention to chord names in a style prompt, at least some of the time. Put the progression in, keep the BPM, and let it fill in the rest. Then compare its guitar part with the shapes above.
Blues rock, 96 BPM, chord progression D7 – G7 – D7 – A7, 12-bar blues shuffle, overdriven electric guitar, walking bass, gritty male vocals, swaggering
D7 chord FAQ
What notes are in the D7 chord?
D7 has 4 notes: D (the root), F♯ (the major third), A (the perfect fifth) and C (the minor (flat) seventh). The chord formula is 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7.
How do you play D7 on guitar?
The easy way is open chord. Strings from low E to high E: x x 0 2 1 2 (x means don’t play that string). Put your index finger on fret 1 of the 2nd (B) string. Put your middle finger on fret 2 of the 3rd (G) string. Put your ring finger on fret 2 of the 1st (high E) string. Let the D string ring open. Don’t play the low E and A strings: skip them, or touch them lightly with a spare finger so they can’t ring.
What does the “7” in D7 mean?
It tells you the chord type: D7 is D seventh. A major chord with a flattened seventh on top. It sounds like it’s standing by the door with its coat on: it wants to go somewhere, usually to the chord a fifth below. Blues runs on these.
What key is D7 in?
D7 turns up in 2 keys: G major (as the V7) and E minor (as the VII7). Major keys: G major. Minor keys: E minor.
What is the difference between D7 and Dmaj7?
Both add a seventh to the D major chord. D7 adds C, the bluesy flat seventh. Dmaj7 adds C♯, a semitone higher, which sounds dreamy and jazzy instead.
What chords go well with D7?
Try G, Am, G7 and A7. The progression D7 – G7 – D7 – A7 (I7–IV7–I7–V7) is the bones of a 12-bar blues. Press Play progression on this page to hear it.
Other dominant 7th chords
Got the chord? Now write the song
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