Chord reference · four-note chord
D7 chord (D dominant seventh)
D7 is the D dominant seventh chord. Play D, F♯, A, C together to hear the chord in root position.
D7 chord notes and interval formula
The formula 1–3–5–♭7 means the chord is measured from D using the root, major third, perfect fifth, and minor seventh. In semitone numbers from the root, the pattern is 0–4–7–10.
| Degree | Interval | Semitones | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Root | 0 | D |
| 3 | Major Third | 4 | F♯ |
| 5 | Perfect Fifth | 7 | A |
| ♭7 | Minor Seventh | 10 | C |
How to play D7 on piano
Start with the notes in root position from low to high: D – F♯ – A – C. Right hand 1–2–3–5; left hand 5–3–2–1 is a useful starting point, but black-key combinations and melodic movement may make another fingering more comfortable.
For a cleaner accompaniment, place the root in the left hand and play the remaining tones in the right. With extended chords, keep the third and seventh because they identify the chord quality most clearly.
How to play D7 on guitar
Try the shape x-x-0-2-1-2 in standard tuning, read from low E to high E. The sounding-string details are: E mute; A mute; D open: D; G fret 2: A; B fret 1: C; E fret 2: F♯. Keep every note clear and release pressure from strings marked “x.”
This is one voicing, not the only correct shape. The chord remains D7 whenever the essential pitch classes are present; doubling, omission, and bass-note choice change the voicing rather than the basic chord name.
D7 inversions and slash chords
Inversions keep the same notes but place a different chord tone in the bass. They are useful for smoother bass lines, compact keyboard movement, and alternative guitar voicings.
| Position | Symbol | Notes low to high | Bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Root position | D7 | D – F♯ – A – C | D |
| 1st inversion | D7/F# | F♯ – A – C – D | F♯ |
| 2nd inversion | D7/A | A – C – D – F♯ | A |
| 3rd inversion | D7/C | C – D – F♯ – A | C |
What D7 sounds like and where it fits
The D dominant seventh chord is strongly directional. Dominant seventh chords contain a tritone between the third and flat seventh. That interval drives the chord toward a tonic whose root is a perfect fourth above the chord root. For example, D7 has a natural pull toward a tonic on G.
D7 compared with similar chords
Small interval changes create different chord names. Use this table to avoid confusing D7 with nearby structures.
| Chord | Quality | Formula | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dmaj7 | Major Seventh | 1–3–5–7 | D, F♯, A, C♯ |
| Dm7 | Minor Seventh | 1–♭3–5–♭7 | D, F, A, C |
| D9 | Dominant Ninth | 1–3–5–♭7–9 | D, F♯, A, C, E |
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the D7 chord?
The D7 chord contains D, F♯, A, C. Its interval formula is 1–3–5–♭7.
How do you play D7 on piano?
Play D, F♯, A, C together. A practical root-position fingering is right hand 1–2–3–5; left hand 5–3–2–1; adjust the fingering to your hand and musical context.
How do you play D7 on guitar?
One compact standard-tuning shape is x-x-0-2-1-2 from the low E string to the high E string. An “x” means mute that string.
What does the symbol D7 mean?
The root is D. The suffix 7 identifies a dominant seventh structure with the formula 1–3–5–♭7.
How many inversions does D7 have?
A 4-note chord has 4 closed-position arrangements when every chord tone is retained: root position plus 3 inversions. Extended practical voicings may omit notes.