Dmaj7 Chord
How to play D major 7th on guitar — warm, dreamy and jazzy — a major chord with a soft top note.
- Notes
- D – F♯ – A – C♯
- Frets (low → high)
- x x 0 2 2 2
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Shape
- Movable shape at fret 2
How to play Dmaj7, step by step
- 1Put your index finger on the 2nd fret of the G string (3rd).
- 2Put your middle finger on the 2nd 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 major seventh chord
Warm, dreamy and jazzy — a major chord with a soft top note.
| Note | Interval | Semitones above D |
|---|---|---|
| D | root | 0 |
| F♯ | major 3rd | 4 |
| A | 5th | 7 |
| C♯ | major 7th | 11 |
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 major 7th chord
The same shape moved around the neck. If you can play Dmaj7 you are a fret-slide away from all of these.
Frequently asked questions
- What notes are in the Dmaj7 chord?
- Dmaj7 is made of D, F♯, A, C♯ — the root, major 3rd, 5th, major 7th of D.
- Is Dmaj7 hard to play?
- No — Dmaj7 sits at x x 0 2 2 2 and is rated easy, so it is comfortable for most beginners.
Got a chart full of chords like Dmaj7?
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.