The short version
- Dmaj7 is D major 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 2 2 from low E to high E (x = don’t play).
- It sounds dreamy, jazzy, sunset-in-a-convertible. Swap it in for any I or IV chord in a major key when the song needs to sound expensive.
- Dmaj7 turns up in 4 keys: D major (as the Imaj7), A major (as the IVmaj7), B minor (as the IIImaj7) and F♯ minor (as the VImaj7).
- Try it in: Dmaj7 – Gmaj7 – Dmaj7 – Gmaj7, a two-chord dream-pop vamp you can loop forever.
How to play Dmaj7 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 2 of the 3rd (G) string.
- Put your middle finger on fret 2 of the 2nd (B) 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 6 7 5. Shape 3 is the movable shape, root on the 6th string (10th fret): 10 x 11 11 10 x. 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 Dmaj7 chord
Dmaj7 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 Dmaj7.
| 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 major seventh | The dreamy, jazzy shimmer. |
What Dmaj7 sounds like, and when to use it
A major chord plus the major seventh, which sits a semitone below the root. Dreamy and a bit wistful. City pop, neo-soul, bossa nova and bedroom pop can’t get enough. Swap it in for any I or IV chord in a major key when the song needs to sound expensive.
What key is Dmaj7 in?
Dmaj7 turns up in 4 keys: D major (as the Imaj7), A major (as the IVmaj7), B minor (as the IIImaj7) and F♯ minor (as the VImaj7). Tap a key to see the rest of its chords on the circle of fifths.
| Key | Numeral | Spelled as |
|---|---|---|
| D major | Imaj7 | Dmaj7 |
| A major | IVmaj7 | Dmaj7 |
| B minor | IIImaj7 | Dmaj7 |
| F♯ minor | VImaj7 | Dmaj7 |
Chords that go with Dmaj7
Here’s a progression to try: Dmaj7 – Gmaj7 – Dmaj7 – Gmaj7 (Imaj7–IVmaj7), a two-chord dream-pop vamp you can loop forever.
More progressions → Transpose it →
Using Dmaj7 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.
City pop, 98 BPM, chord progression Dmaj7 – Gmaj7 – Dmaj7 – Gmaj7, jazzy major seventh chords, clean chorus guitar, Rhodes, slap bass, dreamy and nostalgic
Dmaj7 chord FAQ
What notes are in the Dmaj7 chord?
Dmaj7 has 4 notes: D (the root), F♯ (the major third), A (the perfect fifth) and C♯ (the major seventh). The chord formula is 1 – 3 – 5 – 7.
How do you play Dmaj7 on guitar?
The easy way is open chord. Strings from low E to high E: x x 0 2 2 2 (x means don’t play that string). Put your index finger on fret 2 of the 3rd (G) string. Put your middle finger on fret 2 of the 2nd (B) 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 “maj7” in Dmaj7 mean?
It tells you the chord type: Dmaj7 is D major seventh. A major chord plus the major seventh, which sits a semitone below the root. Dreamy and a bit wistful. City pop, neo-soul, bossa nova and bedroom pop can’t get enough.
What key is Dmaj7 in?
Dmaj7 turns up in 4 keys: D major (as the Imaj7), A major (as the IVmaj7), B minor (as the IIImaj7) and F♯ minor (as the VImaj7). Major keys: D major, A major. Minor keys: B minor, F♯ minor.
What is the difference between Dmaj7 and D7?
Dmaj7 adds the major seventh (C♯), a semitone below the root, so it sounds soft and dreamy. D7 adds the flat seventh (C), which sounds bluesy and wants to move on.
What chords go well with Dmaj7?
Try Gmaj7, Em7, F♯m7 and Bm7. The progression Dmaj7 – Gmaj7 – Dmaj7 – Gmaj7 (Imaj7–IVmaj7) is a two-chord dream-pop vamp you can loop forever. Press Play progression on this page to hear it.
Other major 7th chords
Got the chord? Now write the song
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