How to play the Dmaj7 chord on guitar
D major seventh (Dmaj7) in standard tuning (EADGBE). Play the shape xx0222 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) | 2 | C# |
| 1st (high E) | 2 | F# |
Notes and intervals
Formula 1 3 5 7. 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# | 7 | Major 7th (11 semitones) | Yes |
Changing chords from Dmaj7
Dmaj7 sounds four strings with two strings muted: three fretted positions all at fret 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 Dmaj7 shape.
- Dmaj7 to F#m: keep three fretted notes in place (3rd string fret 2, 2nd string fret 2, 1st string fret 2), three new positions to fret.
- Dmaj7 to D: keep two fretted notes in place (3rd string fret 2, 1st string fret 2), one new position to fret.
- Dmaj7 to D7: keep two fretted notes in place (3rd string fret 2, 1st string fret 2), one new position to fret.
- Dmaj7 to A: keep two fretted notes in place (3rd string fret 2, 2nd string fret 2), one new position to fret.