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Dmaj7 Chord

Dmaj7 adds C sharp, a major seventh, to the D major triad. The seventh sits a semitone below the root above it, giving a settled chord a close, unresolved edge.

  • Notes: D-F sharp-A-C sharp
  • Symbol: Dmaj7
  • Imaj7 in D major
  • Major seventh
Switch chordDmaj7

How to play a Dmaj7 chord

Notes: D - F# - A - C# · symbol Dmaj7

  • Root position

    D - F# - A - C#
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-3-5 · Left 5-3-2-1

  • 1st inversion

    F# - A - C# - D
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-3-5 · Left 5-4-2-1

  • 2nd inversion

    A - C# - D - F#
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-4-5 · Left 5-3-2-1

  • 3rd inversion

    C# - D - F# - A
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-4-5 · Left 5-3-2-1

Where does Dmaj7 belong?

All four notes come from the D major scale, where Dmaj7 can be the home chord.
Play the role cards to hear how its surrounding chords change the job it does; Diatonic Chords explains the basic numbered roles.

  • In D majorHome, jazz style
    Imaj7

    The end point of a ii-V-I in D: a resting chord with a soft glow.

    Em7ii7A7V7Dmaj7Imaj7
  • In A majorA dreamy step away
    IVmaj7

    Swaying between Amaj7 and this chord is a staple of soul and bossa nova.

    Amaj7Imaj7Dmaj7IVmaj7
  • In F# minorMinor-key color
    bVImaj7

    In F# minor it brings in warmth before the music turns back home.

    F#miDmaj7bVImaj7EbVIIF#mi

Progressions to try

  • Em7A7Dmaj7

    Dmaj7 is the Imaj7 arrival at the end of a ii-V-I in D major.

  • Amaj7Dmaj7

    Here Dmaj7 is IVmaj7: a step away from the home chord rather than a final cadence.

  • F#mDmaj7EF#m

    In F# minor, Dmaj7 colors the bVI degree before the phrase returns to minor.

Which shape should you use?

On guitar, start with the open xx0222 grip. Let the open strings ring and keep any strings marked x silent. The x57675 shape gives you another position when the neighboring chords sit elsewhere on the neck.

On ukulele, start with 2224, played at the 2nd fret. The 6655 grip moves the chord to another register.

On piano, play D-F sharp-A-C sharp. Move D up an octave to reach the first inversion, F sharp-A-C sharp-D; the notes remain the same while the lowest voice changes.

What are the inversions?

D is the root, F sharp the major third, A the fifth and C sharp the major seventh, eleven semitones above the root.

  • Root position: D-F sharp-A-C sharp, with D lowest.
  • First inversion: F sharp-A-C sharp-D, written Dmaj7/F# if F sharp is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Second inversion: A-C sharp-D-F sharp, written Dmaj7/A if A is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Third inversion: C sharp-D-F sharp-A, written Dmaj7/C# if C sharp is lowest in the whole arrangement.

A slash chord names the note in the bass, not merely the lowest note under one hand. Chord Inversions shows how to read that distinction.

How does Dmaj7 differ from D7?

Keep the major triad and lower C sharp to C. That makes D7, the dominant-seventh version; the changed seventh is the difference to hear. Try that one-note change on piano, then use the comparer to hear it in the full chord. See D7 for the other chord's full spelling and roles.

  • Dmaj7

    D - F# - A - C#
    C4C5

    D major 7

  • D7

    D - F# - A - C
    C4C5

    D dominant 7

Try another chord