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D7 chord on guitar

D7 (D dominant seventh) is D, F♯, A and C. The easiest way to play it is the open D7 chord, written xx0212. Put your 1st finger (index) on the 2nd string, 1st fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 2nd fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 1st string, 2nd fret. Let the 4th string ring open. Don't play the 6th and 5th strings: strum from the 4th.

D7

D dominant seventh · D F♯ A C · 1 3 5 ♭7

  • Open position

    Open chord

    213DACF♯

    xx0212

  • 5th fret

    Barre chord, root on the 5th string

    5fr13141DACF♯A

    x57575

  • 10th fret

    Barre chord, root on the 6th string

    10fr131211DACF♯AD

    10-12-10-11-10-10

Or pick another chord to see and hear it

Root
Chord

Dots show where each finger goes, numbered 1 (index) to 4 (little); the green ones are D, the root.

How to play D7

Strings are counted from the thinnest: the 1st is the high E and the 6th the low E. Each shape is written as tab from the 6th string to the 1st, a number for the fret to press, 0 for an open string and x for one not played.

  1. 1. Open chord · Open position

    xx0212
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 2nd string, 1st fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 2nd fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 1st string, 2nd fret.
    • Let the 4th string ring open.
    • Don't play the 6th and 5th strings: strum from the 4th.

  2. 2. Barre chord, root on the 5th string · 5th fret

    x57575
    • Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 5th to 1st strings at the 5th fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 7th fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 2nd string, 7th fret.
    • Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

  3. 3. Barre chord, root on the 6th string · 10th fret

    10-12-10-11-10-10
    • Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across all six strings at the 10th fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 11th fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 5th string, 12th fret.

Notes in the D7 chord

D7 is D, F♯, A and C, and it sounds bluesy and restless: it wants to move on, usually a fourth up. From D, count 4 half steps up to F♯, 3 more to A and 3 more to C. Its formula is 1 3 5 ♭7. The shapes above play these notes in different orders and octaves, some more than once, but always with D lowest. See its inversions and keys on the D7 piano chord page.

Chords that often come after D7

G320003D7 is the V7 of G: its seventh pulls straight home there.Gmxx5333The same pull into Gm, home in the minor key.Em022000D7 to Em is V7 to vi, the surprise ending (a deceptive cadence).

More guitar chords

Other chords on D

DDmDmaj7Dm7Dsus2Dsus4Dadd9D9D6DdimDm7♭5Ddim7Daug

Dominant seventh chords on other notes

C7C♯7E♭7E7F7F♯7G7A♭7A7B♭7B7

Or see every chord at once on the guitar chord chart.

Frequently asked questions

How do you play D7 on guitar?

The easiest way to play it is the open D7 chord, written xx0212. Put your 1st finger (index) on the 2nd string, 1st fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 2nd fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 1st string, 2nd fret. Let the 4th string ring open. Don't play the 6th and 5th strings: strum from the 4th.

What notes are in the D7 chord?

D7 is D, F♯, A and C. In the shape written xx0212, the 4th to 1st strings play D, A, C and F♯.

Is D7 a barre chord?

It doesn't have to be: xx0212 needs no barre. The barre shapes (x57575, 10-12-10-11-10-10) play it higher up the neck and move to any root.

How many ways can you play D7 on guitar?

This page shows three: xx0212 (open position), x57575 (5th fret) and 10-12-10-11-10-10 (10th fret). Any chord can be played in more places up the neck; these are the ones chord books show first.

Can I make a beat with D7?

Yes. “Make a beat in G major” opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in G major on G D Em C, the key where D7 is the V7 chord. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account is needed to start.

Make a beat in G major

Opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in G major on G D Em C, the key where D7 is the V7 chord. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account needed to start.

Make a beat in G majorAll guitar chords

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