D7 guitar chord
The D dominant 7th chord: every way to play it on the neck, the notes in it, and the scales that sound good over it.
What's in D7
- Notes
- D – F# – A – C
- Formula
- 1 – 3 – 5 – b7
- Name
- D dominant 7th
D7D · F# · A · C
5 ways to play it · Tuning E A D G B E
- Open
- C shape · 3rd fret
- A shape · 5th fret
- G shape · 7th fret
- E shape · 10th fret
What to play over D7
Start with the chord's own notes — D, F#, A, C — and land on them on the strong beats. Then reach for a scale; which one depends on the chord's job in the song.
- D Mixolydian mode
The dominant chord’s own scale: its four notes plus the 2, 4 and 6.
- D major pentatonic scale
Five notes that sit right on top of the chord.
- D blues scale
For blues: the ♭3 rubbing against the chord’s 3 is the whole point.
- D Phrygian dominant scale
When the chord resolves to a minor chord a fourth up (V7 to i): the ♭9 and ♭13 pull hard.
Questions
What notes are in a D7 chord?
D7 has 4 notes: D, F#, A, C. Counted from the root, its formula is 1 – 3 – 5 – b7.
What scale goes with D7?
D Mixolydian mode is the place to start. The dominant chord’s own scale: its four notes plus the 2, 4 and 6.