How to play the D7 chord on guitar
D dominant seventh (D7) in standard tuning (EADGBE). Play the shape xx0212 from the low E string to the high E string. The chord tones are D, F#, A, C, and the lowest sounding note is D.
Fingering chart
| String | Fret | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 6th (low E) | Muted | Not played |
| 5th (A) | Muted | Not played |
| 4th (D) | Open | D |
| 3rd (G) | 2 | A |
| 2nd (B) | 1 | C |
| 1st (high E) | 2 | F# |
Notes and intervals
Formula 1 3 5 b7. This shape sounds each chord tone.
| Note | Degree | Interval from D | In this shape |
|---|---|---|---|
| D | 1 | Root (0 semitones) | Yes |
| F# | 3 | Major 3rd (4 semitones) | Yes |
| A | 5 | Perfect 5th (7 semitones) | Yes |
| C | b7 | Minor 7th (10 semitones) | Yes |
Changing chords from D7
D7 sounds four strings with two strings muted: three fretted positions between frets 1 and 2, plus one open string. The quickest changes leave fretted notes where they are, so the hand pivots instead of lifting off the neck. These are the chords in this library that share the most fretted notes with the D7 shape.
- D7 to D: keep two fretted notes in place (3rd string fret 2, 1st string fret 2), one new position to fret.
- D7 to Dmaj7: keep two fretted notes in place (3rd string fret 2, 1st string fret 2), one new position to fret.
- D7 to Dm7: keep two fretted notes in place (3rd string fret 2, 2nd string fret 1), one new position to fret.
- D7 to Am: keep two fretted notes in place (3rd string fret 2, 2nd string fret 1), one new position to fret.