Dmaj7 guitar chord
The D major 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 Dmaj7
- Notes
- D – F# – A – C#
- Formula
- 1 – 3 – 5 – 7
- Name
- D major 7th
Dmaj7D · F# · A · C#
3 ways to play it · Tuning E A D G B E
- Open · D shape
- A shape · 5th fret
- E shape · 10th fret
What to play over Dmaj7
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 major scale
The major scale, when the chord is the home chord (Imaj7).
- D Lydian mode
The ♯4 replaces the 4 that clashes with the chord’s 3rd — the sound of a IVmaj7.
- D major pentatonic scale
Five notes with no clash, a safe and open sound.
Questions
What notes are in a Dmaj7 chord?
Dmaj7 has 4 notes: D, F#, A, C#. Counted from the root, its formula is 1 – 3 – 5 – 7.
What scale goes with Dmaj7?
D major scale is the place to start. The major scale, when the chord is the home chord (Imaj7).