D7 Chord
How to play D 7th on guitar — bluesy and unresolved — it leans hard toward the chord a fourth above.
- Notes
- D – F♯ – A – C
- Frets (low → high)
- x x 0 2 1 2
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Shape
- Open position
How to play D7, step by step
- 1Put your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the G string (3rd).
- 2Put your index finger on the 1st fret of the B string (2nd).
- 3Put your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the high E string (1st).
- 4Leave the low E and A strings out — mute them with the side of a finger, or just avoid them as you strum.
- 5Let the D string ring open.
- 6Strum slowly and check every string sounds cleanly; if one buzzes, press closer to the fret wire and arch your fingers so they clear the neighbouring strings.
What makes a dominant seventh chord
Bluesy and unresolved — it leans hard toward the chord a fourth above.
| Note | Interval | Semitones above D |
|---|---|---|
| D | root | 0 |
| F♯ | major 3rd | 4 |
| A | 5th | 7 |
| C | minor 7th | 10 |
Other D chords
Same root, different colour. Swapping one of these into a progression is the quickest way to change its mood without changing the key.
Every 7th chord
The same shape moved around the neck. If you can play D7 you are a fret-slide away from all of these.
Frequently asked questions
- What notes are in the D7 chord?
- D7 is made of D, F♯, A, C — the root, major 3rd, 5th, minor 7th of D.
- Is D7 hard to play?
- No — D7 sits at x x 0 2 1 2 and is rated easy, so it is comfortable for most beginners.
Got a chart full of chords like D7?
Upload a chord sheet and move every chord into a key that fits your hands and your voice — the layout stays exactly as printed. Or let the capo calculator pick the position that turns the barre chords into open ones.