D7 chord
D7 is D, F♯, A and C: 1–3–5–♭7 built on D. See and hear it on all three instruments below.
On guitar
x-x-0-2-1-2 · open · easy
- Notes
- D · F♯ · A · C
- Formula
- 1 · 3 · 5 · ♭7
- First shape
- x-x-0-2-1-2
D7 on guitar: every shape, finger by finger
On piano
root position · D–F♯–A–C · right hand 1-2-3-5
- Notes
- D · F♯ · A · C
- Formula
- 1 · 3 · 5 · ♭7
D7 on piano: fingering and inversions
On ukulele
2-2-2-3 · movable · medium
- Notes
- D · F♯ · A · C
- Formula
- 1 · 3 · 5 · ♭7
- First shape
- 2-2-2-3
Where D7 usually goes next
Here's what the hand does on the most common changes, on guitar and on piano.
- D7 → G (the V7 pulls home a fifth below)
Guitar: D7 (x-x-0-2-1-2) to G (3-2-0-0-0-3): the index finger goes to the A string, 2nd fret, your middle finger lands on the low E string, 3rd fret, move the ring finger to the high E string, 3rd fret. No finger can stay, so practice lifting all of them together and landing the new shape as a unit. Listen for D, which stays put while the rest moves.
Piano: D7 to G: play G in 2nd inversion (D–G–B) and D stays under the same finger, while F♯ moves up to G and C down to B. G - D7 → Gmaj7 (I in G major)
Guitar: D7 (x-x-0-2-1-2) to Gmaj7 (3-2-0-0-0-2): your index finger lands on the A string, 2nd fret, your middle finger lands on the high E string, 2nd fret, move the ring finger to the low E string, 3rd fret. Everything moves: lift the whole hand and place the new shape in one go. D and F♯ carry over from one chord to the other.
Piano: D7 to Gmaj7: play Gmaj7 in 2nd inversion (D–F♯–G–B) and D and F♯ stay under the same fingers, while A moves down to G and C down to B. Gmaj7 - D7 → Em7 (vi in G major)
Guitar: D7 (x-x-0-2-1-2) to Em7 (0-2-0-0-0-0): your index finger lands on the A string, 2nd fret. The two chords share D, which is why the change sounds smooth.
Piano: D7 to Em7: play Em7 in 3rd inversion (D–E–G–B) and D stays under the same finger, while F♯ moves down to E, A down to G and C down to B. Em7
Guitar with a capo: capo 2, C7 shape; capo 3, B7 shape; capo 5, A7 shape; capo 7, G7 shape. Ukulele with a capo: capo 2, C7 shape; capo 3, B7 shape; capo 5, A7 shape; capo 7, G7 shape.
How D7 is built
D7 is a dominant seventh chord: a major triad with a flattened seventh on top. It sounds restless and wants to move, most strongly to G, the chord a fifth below. It is also the backbone of the blues, where every chord can be a seventh.
From D, go 4 half steps up to F♯, 3 half steps up to A then 3 half steps up to C.
| Note | Role | Half steps | Hear it |
|---|---|---|---|
| D | root | 0 | |
| F♯ | major third | 4 | |
| A | perfect fifth | 7 | |
| C | minor seventh | 10 |
Keys and progressions with D7
You'll find D7 as V7 in G major. On the minor side it's V7 in G minor (borrowing the raised 7th) and VII7 in E minor.
D7 – D7 – D7 – D7 – G7 – G7 – D7 – D7 – A7 – G7 – D7 – A7: that's I7–IV7–V7 (12 bars) in the key of D major. the 12-bar blues
In G major, ii–V–I is Am7 – D7 – Gmaj7. the jazz cadence
Chords close to D7
- D7 is D plus C. D
- D7 and Dmaj7 differ by one note: C in D7, C♯ in Dmaj7. They share D, F♯ and A. Dmaj7
Chords that share most of their notes with D7: D9, D, F♯dim, Cdim7, Dmaj7, Dm7.
Every D chord
D7 chord: questions
What notes are in the D7 chord?
D, F♯, A and C. D7 is built 1–3–5–♭7 from D: F♯ is the major third, A is the perfect fifth and C is the minor seventh.
How do you play D7 on guitar?
The usual shape is x-x-0-2-1-2 (open). All 3 guitar shapes.
How do you play D7 on piano?
Play D, F♯, A and C with right-hand fingers 1-2-3-5. D sits between the two black keys. Inversions and left hand.
How do you play D7 on ukulele?
2-2-2-3 in standard GCEA tuning. More ukulele shapes.
What key is D7 in?
You'll find D7 as V7 in G major. On the minor side it's V7 in G minor (borrowing the raised 7th) and VII7 in E minor.
What's the difference between D7 and D?
D7 is D plus C.
All three instruments are drawn and played from D, F♯, A and C by the same engine. Updated September 2026.