D♭ Augmented 7th
Also Known As
Hear the D♭ Augmented 7th chord played for you.
D♭+7
D♭ – F – A – B
Formula:R-M3-A5-m7
Intervals:P1-M3-A5-m7
Scale Degrees:1-3-#5-b7
Introduction
The D♭ Augmented 7th chord is a four-note chord made up of D♭, F, A, and B. It is built from a root, major third, augmented fifth, and minor seventh.
The Db Augmented 7th piano chord (Db+7) consists of the notes Db, F, A, B. It is an augmented triad with an added minor 7th, giving it a bright, tense, and unresolved character with a strong upward pull. Formula: R-M3-A5-m7 | Scale degrees: 1-3-#5-b7.
Notes
D♭ Augmented 7th Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | Db – F – A – B |
| 1st Inversion | F – A – B – Db |
| 2nd Inversion | A – B – Db – F |
| 3rd Inversion | Db – F – A – B |
Key Signature
The key of Db Augmented 7th has 5 flats.
B♭E♭A♭D♭G♭
Order of flats
Flats are added in a fixed order — the reverse of the sharp order. Each new flat key adds the next flat on the list.
B♭E♭A♭D♭G♭C♭F♭
Mnemonic: Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles’ Father
Chords in the Key of Db Major
These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the Db major scale:
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
I — D♭ Major (major)
Theory: Intervals
Formula: R-M3-A5-m7
Intervals: P1-M3-A5-m7
The D♭ Augmented 7th is built by stacking intervals from the root note. The formula R-M3-A5-m7 describes the scale degrees used. The intervals P1-M3-A5-m7 show the distance between each note in the chord.
D♭ Augmented 7th — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the Db Augmented 7th chord?
The Db Augmented 7th chord (Db+7) contains four notes: Db (root), F (major third), A (augmented fifth), and Cb (minor seventh, enharmonically B). It combines an augmented triad with a minor seventh.
How does Db Augmented 7th differ from Db Dominant 7th?
Both contain Db, F, and Cb. The difference is the fifth: Db+7 has A (augmented fifth) while Db7 has Ab (perfect fifth). The raised fifth adds extra tension and upward pull.
How is Db Augmented 7th used in music?
Db+7 is an altered dominant chord resolving to Gb Major. The augmented fifth (A) pulls up to Bb while Cb pulls down to Bb — both converge on the third of Gb. Common in jazz and gospel as a colourful dominant substitute.
What genres use Augmented 7th chords?
Augmented 7th chords are common in jazz, gospel, blues, and R&B. They add emotional intensity and colour to dominant chord resolutions, creating richer harmonic movement than standard dominant 7ths.
What songs use Augmented 7th chords?
Augmented 7th chords appear in jazz standards and gospel music where altered dominants add emotional weight. Blues and jazz pianists use +7 chords as expressive dominant substitutes.
What is the difference between +7 and 7#5?
They are the same chord. Db+7, Db7#5, and Dbaug7 all refer to Db Augmented 7th. The symbols vary by notation tradition.
Practice Tips
- Play Db7 then raise Ab to A — hear the extra tension the augmented fifth adds.
- Practice the resolution: Db+7 → Gb Major. The augmented fifth (A) and seventh (Cb) both resolve to Bb.
- Compare Db+7 with Db7 — both resolve to Gb, but +7 adds more colour and intensity.
- Db+7 works as a tritone substitute for G+7 — explore this jazz reharmonisation technique.
- Try Db+7 in a gospel turnaround for emotional intensity before the tonic chord.
- The augmented triad inside (Db–F–A) divides the octave into three equal major thirds — same symmetry as all augmented triads.
Related Tools
Chord FinderLook up any chord — see the notes, hear it, and play along.Chord DrillTimed drills to build speed and recognition across all chord types.Practice RoomPlug in a MIDI keyboard and get real-time feedback on every chord and scale.Circle of FifthsVisualize key relationships, relative minors, and key signatures.MIDI MonitorLive MIDI message stream with note names, velocity, and a scrolling staff.