Piano chords · Major 7th chord
Dmaj7 piano chord (D major seventh)
Dmaj7 is a major seventh chord with 4 notes. It sounds soft, dreamy and a little jazzy. Here's how to find it, play it and hear it.
D – F♯ – A – C♯ · tap any key to hear it
The notes of Dmaj7
Dmaj7 is built from 4 notes (1 – 3 – 5 – 7):
- D, the root
- F♯, the major third
- A, the fifth
- C♯, the major seventh
F♯ and C♯ are black keys, so keep your hand slightly further in, towards the fallboard, to reach them without stretching.
Fingering
- Right hand: 1 on D, 2 on F♯, 3 on A, 5 on C♯.
- Left hand: 5 on D, 3 on F♯, 2 on A, 1 on C♯.
Press every key at exactly the same moment, with the same weight. If one note sounds louder or a fraction late, the chord sounds uneven: play it slowly and listen for one sound.
Inversions
An inversion is the same notes in a different order, with a different note at the bottom. Inversions let you move between chords without jumping around the keyboard.
| Position | Notes, bottom to top |
|---|---|
| Root position | D – F♯ – A – C♯ |
| 1st inversion | F♯ – A – C♯ – D |
| 2nd inversion | A – C♯ – D – F♯ |
| 3rd inversion | C♯ – D – F♯ – A |
Where Dmaj7 belongs
Dmaj7 is the Imaj7 chord in D major and the IVmaj7 chord in A major. It's everywhere in jazz, soul, bossa nova and gentle pop.
Dmaj7 is D with a major seventh, C♯, added: just a half step below the root, which gives it its dreamy rub. D7 has a minor seventh (C) instead, and sounds bluesier.
Hear it in a progression
Dmaj7 – Bm7 – Em7 – A7: Imaj7 – vi7 – ii7 – V7, a smooth jazz and soul turnaround.
Playing it, but it doesn't sound right? Ivory listens to you play and tells you what's off: a note that's missing, a hand that lands late, a chord that's uneven. Then it shows you how it should go.
Questions people ask
What notes are in the Dmaj7 chord?
Dmaj7 (D major seventh) is made of D, F♯, A and C♯: the root, major third, fifth and major seventh.
How do you play Dmaj7 on piano?
With your right hand, use fingers 1 on D, 2 on F♯, 3 on A, 5 on C♯, and press them together. With your left hand: 5 on D, 3 on F♯, 2 on A, 1 on C♯.
How is Dmaj7 different from the plain chord?
Dmaj7 is D with a major seventh, C♯, added: just a half step below the root, which gives it its dreamy rub. D7 has a minor seventh (C) instead, and sounds bluesier.