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D♭maj7 chord on guitar

D♭maj7 (D♭ major seventh) is D♭, F, A♭ and C. It has no open shape, so it is played as a barre chord, most often the one at the 4th fret, written x46564. Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 5th to 1st strings at the 4th fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 5th fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 6th fret. Put your 4th finger (little) on the 2nd string, 6th fret. Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

D♭maj7

D♭ major seventh · D♭ F A♭ C · 1 3 5 7

  • 4th fret

    Barre chord, root on the 5th string

    4fr13241D♭A♭CFA♭

    x46564

  • 9th fret

    Root on the 6th string

    9fr1342D♭CFA♭

    9-x-10-10-9-x

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 D♭maj7

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. Barre chord, root on the 5th string · 4th fret

    x46564
    • Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 5th to 1st strings at the 4th fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 5th fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 6th fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 2nd string, 6th fret.
    • Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.
  2. 2. Root on the 6th string · 9th fret

    9-x-10-10-9-x
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 6th string, 9th fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 2nd string, 9th fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 10th fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 3rd string, 10th fret.
    • Mute the 5th and 1st strings by letting the fingers next to them touch them lightly.

Notes in the D♭maj7 chord

D♭maj7 is D♭, F, A♭ and C, and it sounds soft and dreamy, the sound of lo-fi, R&B and bossa nova. From D♭, count 4 half steps up to F, 3 more to A♭ and 4 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 D♭maj7 piano chord page.

Frequently asked questions

How do you play D♭maj7 on guitar?

It has no open shape, so it is played as a barre chord, most often the one at the 4th fret, written x46564. Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 5th to 1st strings at the 4th fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 5th fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 6th fret. Put your 4th finger (little) on the 2nd string, 6th fret. Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

What notes are in the D♭maj7 chord?

D♭maj7 is D♭, F, A♭ and C. In the shape written x46564, the 5th to 1st strings play D♭, A♭, C, F and A♭.

Is D♭maj7 a barre chord?

Usually, yes: it has no open shape. The barre at the 4th fret (x46564) is the one most players use; the same shape moved to another fret plays another root.

How many ways can you play D♭maj7 on guitar?

This page shows two: x46564 (4th fret) and 9-x-10-10-9-x (9th 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 D♭maj7?

Yes. “Make a beat in D♭ major” opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in D♭ major on D♭ A♭ B♭m G♭, the key where D♭maj7 is the Imaj7 chord. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account is needed to start.

Make a beat in D♭ major

Opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in D♭ major on D♭ A♭ B♭m G♭, the key where D♭maj7 is the Imaj7 chord. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account needed to start.