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D7(Dominant 7th Chord)

A major triad with a minor seventh. Creates harmonic tension that resolves to the tonic.

Notes
D – F# – A – C
Intervals (semitones)
0 – 4 – 7 – 10
Type
7th Chord

🎹 D7 on Piano

Press highlighted keys simultaneously to play the D7 chord.

R
D(Root (R))
2
F#(Major 3rd)
3
A(Perfect 5th)
4
C(Minor 7th (♭7))

🎸 D7 on Guitar

The D7 chord uses notes D, F#, A, C. Build a voicing by finding these notes on any strings — root on the 6th string is a common starting point for barre chord shapes.

Interval Analysis

DegreeInterval NameSemitonesNote in D
RootRoot (R)0D
3rdMajor 3rd4F#
5thPerfect 5th7A
7thMinor 7th (♭7)10C

About the D Dominant 7th Chord

The D7 chord (D Dominant 7th) consists of 4 notes: D, F#, A, C. A major triad with a minor seventh. Creates harmonic tension that resolves to the tonic.

To build any dominant 7th chord, apply intervals of 0, 4, 7, 10 semitones above the root. Starting from D: the notes land on D, F#, A, C.

Playing D7 on Piano

Press D, F#, A, C simultaneously. In root position, D is lowest. First inversion places F# in the bass for a lighter sound; second inversion uses A as the bass note.

Common Chord Progressions Using D7

  • I–IV–V: D7 – G7 – A7 (blues and rock)
  • I–V–vi–IV: D7 – A – Bm – G (pop staple)
  • I–vi–IV–V: D7 – Bm – G – A (50s progression)

The D7 Chord in Context

As a dominant 7th chord, D7 is the tonic (I) in the key of D major. It also appears as the IV chord in A major, and as the V chord in G major — making it one of the most important chords across all of Western music.

Other D Chords

D
Major
Dm
Minor
Dmaj7
Major 7th
Dm7
Minor 7th
Ddim
Diminished
Daug
Augmented

Dominant 7th Chord in All 12 Keys

C7C#7D7D#7E7F7F#7G7G#7A7A#7B7
🎹 Virtual Piano
Play D7 on piano
🎸 Virtual Guitar
See on the fretboard
🎵 D Scale
Notes that fit D7
🎶 Songs
Find songs using D7

FAQ

D7 Chord — Frequently Asked Questions

What notes are in the D7 chord?
The D Dominant 7th chord contains: D, F#, A, C. These notes are derived by applying the dominant 7th interval formula (0–4–7–10 semitones) to the root note D.
What is the D7 chord used for?
A major triad with a minor seventh. Creates harmonic tension that resolves to the tonic. The D7 chord is used across pop, rock, jazz, and classical music. As the I chord in the key of D major, it functions as the most stable resting point in progressions.
How do you play D7 on piano?
On piano, play D, F#, A, C simultaneously. In root position, D is the lowest note. Inversions move the bass note up — first inversion has F# lowest, second inversion has A lowest.
How many notes are in a dominant 7th chord?
A dominant 7th chord has 4 notes: D, F#, A, C (in D). It is a 7th chord, extending beyond the basic triad.
What is the difference between D major and D minor?
The D major chord (D–F#–A) uses a major third (4 semitones), giving it a bright, happy sound. The D minor chord (D–F–A) uses a minor third (3 semitones), giving it a darker, emotional sound.
What key does D7 belong to?
D7 naturally serves as the I chord in the key of D major. It also appears as IV in the key of A major, and as V in the key of G major.
Can I play D7 on ukulele?
Yes. The ukulele uses GCEA tuning with 4 strings. The D7 chord notes (D, F#, A, C) can be fretted on a ukulele, though the shapes differ from guitar due to the 4-string layout and shorter scale.
What chords go well with D7?
In the key of D major, D7 pairs naturally with G major (IV), A major (V), and Bm (vi). The classic I–IV–V (D7–G–A) is the foundation of blues, country, and rock.
What is a chord inversion of D7?
An inversion places a non-root note in the bass. D7 root position: D in bass. First inversion: F# in bass. Second inversion: A in bass. Inversions create smoother bass line movement without changing the harmony.
How do I memorize the notes in a dominant 7th chord?
Remember the formula: 0–4–7–10 semitones from root. For D7: start on D, add 4 semitones, then 7 semitones, then 10 semitones. Practicing this across all 12 roots builds instant recognition of any dominant 7th chord.