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Dmaj7(Major 7th Chord)

A major triad with a major seventh. Warm, sophisticated sound used in jazz and R&B.

Notes
D – F# – A – C#
Intervals (semitones)
0 – 4 – 7 – 11
Type
7th Chord

🎹 Dmaj7 on Piano

Press highlighted keys simultaneously to play the Dmaj7 chord.

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

🎸 Dmaj7 on Guitar

The Dmaj7 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
7thMajor 7th11C#

About the D Major 7th Chord

The Dmaj7 chord (D Major 7th) consists of 4 notes: D, F#, A, C#. A major triad with a major seventh. Warm, sophisticated sound used in jazz and R&B.

To build any major 7th chord, apply intervals of 0, 4, 7, 11 semitones above the root. Starting from D: the notes land on D, F#, A, C#.

Playing Dmaj7 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 Dmaj7

  • I–IV–V: Dmaj7 – Gmaj7 – Amaj7 (blues and rock)
  • I–V–vi–IV: Dmaj7 – A – Bm – G (pop staple)
  • I–vi–IV–V: Dmaj7 – Bm – G – A (50s progression)

The Dmaj7 Chord in Context

As a major 7th chord, Dmaj7 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
D7
Dominant 7th
Dm7
Minor 7th
Ddim
Diminished
Daug
Augmented

Major 7th Chord in All 12 Keys

Cmaj7C#maj7Dmaj7D#maj7Emaj7Fmaj7F#maj7Gmaj7G#maj7Amaj7A#maj7Bmaj7
🎹 Virtual Piano
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🎸 Virtual Guitar
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🎵 D Scale
Notes that fit Dmaj7
🎶 Songs
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FAQ

Dmaj7 Chord — Frequently Asked Questions

What notes are in the Dmaj7 chord?
The D Major 7th chord contains: D, F#, A, C#. These notes are derived by applying the major 7th interval formula (0–4–7–11 semitones) to the root note D.
What is the Dmaj7 chord used for?
A major triad with a major seventh. Warm, sophisticated sound used in jazz and R&B. The Dmaj7 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 Dmaj7 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 major 7th chord?
A major 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 Dmaj7 belong to?
Dmaj7 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 Dmaj7 on ukulele?
Yes. The ukulele uses GCEA tuning with 4 strings. The Dmaj7 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 Dmaj7?
In the key of D major, Dmaj7 pairs naturally with G major (IV), A major (V), and Bm (vi). The classic I–IV–V (Dmaj7–G–A) is the foundation of blues, country, and rock.
What is a chord inversion of Dmaj7?
An inversion places a non-root note in the bass. Dmaj7 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 major 7th chord?
Remember the formula: 0–4–7–11 semitones from root. For Dmaj7: start on D, add 4 semitones, then 7 semitones, then 11 semitones. Practicing this across all 12 roots builds instant recognition of any major 7th chord.