Dmaj7 Guitar Chord

Dmaj7 guitar chord: see the fingering, compare positions, and hear it before you play.

Shape 1/2

Chord shapes:(2 positions)

Standard

Arpeggio for this shape

P - i - m - a - m - i · Smooth Bossa (2/4 · 6 notes · Level 2)

From the bass on the 4th to the 1st string there are 4 different notes. Six plucks give time to hear them. All 6 arpeggios

Subtle syncopation and oscillating timbre.

Speed:

What sets Dmaj7 apart

Play Dmaj7 one string at a time and you hear D, F#, A and C#. D is the root, F# the major third, A the fifth and C# the major seventh. Said aloud, its notes are D, F sharp, A and C sharp.

From the low string to the high one you hear D, A, C# and F#. The lowest note is D on string 4 and the highest is F# on string 1.

In Dmaj7, string 4 is played open and adds D. Strings 6 and 5 are not played. Every finger presses at fret 2. The second shape on this page starts at fret 5.

D is one change away. String 2 moves from fret 2 to fret 3, bringing in D, the root of D. Dmaj7 holds the whole F#m chord inside it, F#, A and C#. The change that keeps the most fingers still is to A7. One stays in place.

Dmaj7 shows up in four keys. In D major it is the I, in A major the IV and in F# minor the VI. The rest appear in the key list.

Chord Progressions

Explore recommended harmonic circles on CifraLab:

Recommended practice sequences

01D D - Bm - Em - A7 02F#m F#m - D - Bm - C#7

Music Theory & Formula

Component notes and harmonic structure (Dmaj7)

Formula: Major Seventh (1 - 3 - 5 - 7)

Constituent chord intervals:

D 1F# 3A 5C# 7

Root Bass (Fundamental String)4th String (D) • Fret 0 (D)

String Control (Muted & Active)4 / 6 • 2 X Muted

2 Fretboard Positions

Other fretboard positions for Dmaj7:

Select each shape in the diagram above to view and listen to it

Standard

Standard Position

4 / 6 stringsRoot: 4th String (D)

String Control (Muted & Active):

6th String (Low E)

×Muted

Do not play

5th String (A)

×Muted

Do not play

Root

4th String (D)

○Open

DDegree 1

3rd String (G)

Fret 2Finger 1

ADegree 5

2nd String (B)

Fret 2Finger 2

C#Degree 7

1st String (High E)

Fret 2Finger 3

F#Degree 3

Placement tip: Press: 3rd String (G) at fret 2 with your Index finger, 2nd String (B) at fret 2 with your Middle finger, 1st String (High E) at fret 2 with your Ring finger. Play open: 4th String (D). Don't play: 6th String (Low E), 5th String (A).

Barre 5

Barre fret 5

5 / 6 stringsRoot: 5th String (A)

String Control (Muted & Active):

6th String (Low E)

×Muted

Do not play

Root

5th String (A)

Fret 5Barre

DDegree 1

4th String (D)

Fret 7

ADegree 5

3rd String (G)

Fret 6

C#Degree 7

2nd String (B)

Fret 7

F#Degree 3

1st String (High E)

Fret 5Barre

ADegree 5

Placement tip: Barre fret 5. Press: 4th String (D) at fret 7, 3rd String (G) at fret 6, 2nd String (B) at fret 7. Don't play: 6th String (Low E).

Biomechanics & Posture

Ergonomic tips to play without tension or fatigue (Dmaj7)

Standard Position

The shape in numbers

Item	In this chord
Frets	fret 2
Fretting fingers	3
Open	4th
Muted	6th and 5th

What to check

The open 4th string sits next to a fretting finger.

What every chord shares is in the fingering reading.

Transitions & Pivot Fingers

Most common chord transitions from Dmaj7

Listen: Dmaj7 → A7 · D · Bm

Dmaj7
A7
Dmaj7
D
Dmaj7
Bm

Dmaj7 → A701

Pivot / Anchor Finger:1 finger stays

Stay in place

finger 2: string 2, fret 2

Move

finger 1: string 4, fret 2

Dmaj7 → D02

Pivot / Anchor Finger:1 finger stays

Stay in place

finger 1: string 3, fret 2

Move

finger 3: string 2, fret 3
finger 2: string 1, fret 2

Dmaj7 → Bm03

Pivot / Anchor Finger:1 shared position

Stay in place

string 1, fret 2

Move

string 5, fret 2
string 4, fret 4
string 3, fret 4
string 2, fret 3

Dmaj7 in every key

Dmaj7 sits in the scale of 4 keys.

Main shape at a glance

Difficulty: 2/5
Highest fret: 2
Frets the hand covers: 1
Barre: No
Strings that ring: 4/6
Fretting fingers: 3

Major keys

Minor keys

Dmaj7 on other instruments

PianoThe same notes on the keyboard.UkuleleDmaj7 on four strings, with sound.BassDmaj7 as a low-register arpeggio.All togetherHear guitar, piano, bass and violin together.

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions about the chord (Dmaj7)

The questions that come up most when playing this chord

Which strings are played and which are muted in the Dmaj7 chord?

To play the Dmaj7 chord on guitar, only 4 strings are played, from string 4 to string 1. Muted strings must be gently dampened with the fleshy side of a fretting finger to prevent dissonance.

What is the root bass note of the Dmaj7 chord and on which string is it located?

The primary bass note of the Dmaj7 chord is its root note: D. In standard guitar tuning (EADGBe), this bass note is located on string 4 at fret 0.

When strumming or fingerpicking, strike this string first.

What notes make up the Dmaj7 chord and what is its formula?

The Dmaj7 chord is constructed using the 1 - 3 - 5 - 7 formula (Major Seventh). Its constituent pitches are D, F#, A, C#.

How do you prevent the Dmaj7 chord from buzzing or sounding muted?

To prevent the Dmaj7 chord from buzzing or sounding muted, press the strings using the tips of your fingers at a strict 90-degree hammer angle. Position each finger immediately behind the fret wire with your thumb centered behind the neck.

Study sheet · High resolution

Official Dmaj7 chord diagram

Dmaj7 guitar chord diagram with fingering for fingers 1 to 4

Download HD sheet

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Other chords in the D family:

Chord D Chord Db Chord Dm Chord D7 Chord Db7 Chord Dbmaj7 Chord Dm7 Chord Dsus2