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Dmaj7 chord on guitar

Dmaj7 (D major seventh) is D, F♯, A and C♯. The easiest way to play it is the open Dmaj7 chord, written xx0222. Put your 1st finger (index) on the 3rd string, 2nd fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 2nd 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.

Dmaj7

D major seventh · D F♯ A C♯ · 1 3 5 7

  • Open position

    Open chord

    123DAC♯F♯

    xx0222

  • 5th fret

    Barre chord, root on the 5th string

    5fr13241DAC♯F♯A

    x57675

  • 10th fret

    Root on the 6th string

    10fr1342DC♯F♯A

    10-x-11-11-10-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 Dmaj7

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

    xx0222
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 3rd string, 2nd fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 2nd 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

    x57675
    • Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 5th to 1st strings at the 5th fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 6th 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. Root on the 6th string · 10th fret

    10-x-11-11-10-x
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 6th string, 10th fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 2nd string, 10th fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 11th fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 3rd string, 11th fret.
    • Mute the 5th and 1st strings by letting the fingers next to them touch them lightly.

Notes in the Dmaj7 chord

Dmaj7 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 Dmaj7 piano chord page.

Chords that often come after Dmaj7

Gmaj7320002Dmaj7 to Gmaj7 is Imaj7 to IVmaj7, the floating move of lo-fi and neo-soul.Em7020000Dmaj7 to Em7 is Imaj7 to ii7, which sets up a ii–V–I back home.Bm7x20202Dmaj7 to Bm7 is Imaj7 to vi7: they share three notes, so it barely moves.

More guitar chords

Other chords on D

DDmD7Dm7Dsus2Dsus4Dadd9D9D6DdimDm7♭5Ddim7Daug

Major seventh chords on other notes

Cmaj7D♭maj7E♭maj7Emaj7Fmaj7G♭maj7Gmaj7A♭maj7Amaj7B♭maj7Bmaj7

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

Frequently asked questions

How do you play Dmaj7 on guitar?

The easiest way to play it is the open Dmaj7 chord, written xx0222. Put your 1st finger (index) on the 3rd string, 2nd fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 2nd 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 Dmaj7 chord?

Dmaj7 is D, F♯, A and C♯. In the shape written xx0222, the 4th to 1st strings play D, A, C♯ and F♯.

Is Dmaj7 a barre chord?

It doesn't have to be: xx0222 needs no barre. The barre shape (x57675) plays it higher up the neck and moves to any root.

How many ways can you play Dmaj7 on guitar?

This page shows three: xx0222 (open position), x57675 (5th fret) and 10-x-11-11-10-x (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 Dmaj7?

Yes. “Make a beat in D major” opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in D major on D A Bm G, the key where Dmaj7 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 Bm G, the key where Dmaj7 is the Imaj7 chord. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account needed to start.

Make a beat in D majorAll guitar chords

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