D Major 7th
Hear the D Major 7th chord played for you.
Dmaj7
D – F♯ – A – C♯
Formula:R-M3-P5-M7
Intervals:P1-M3-P5-M7
Scale Degrees:1-3-5-7
Introduction
The D Major 7th chord is a four-note chord made up of D, F♯, A, and C♯. It is built from a root, major third, perfect fifth, and major seventh.
The D Major 7th piano chord (Dmaj7) consists of the notes D, F#, A, C#. It is a major triad with an added major 7th, giving it a dreamy, sophisticated, and jazzy sound. Formula: R-M3-P5-M7 | Scale degrees: 1-3-5-7.
Notes
D Major 7th Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | D4 – F#4 – A4 – C#5 |
| 1st Inversion | F#4 – A4 – C#5 – D5 |
| 2nd Inversion | A4 – C#5 – D5 – F#5 |
| 3rd Inversion | D4 – F#4 – A4 – C#4 |
Key Signature
The key of D Major 7th has 2 sharps.
F♯C♯
Order of sharps
Sharps are added to a key signature in a fixed order. Each new sharp key adds the next sharp on the list.
F♯C♯G♯D♯A♯E♯B♯
Mnemonic: Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle
Chords in the Key of D Major
These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the D 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-P5-M7
Intervals: P1-M3-P5-M7
The D Major 7th is built by stacking intervals from the root note. The formula R-M3-P5-M7 describes the scale degrees used. The intervals P1-M3-P5-M7 show the distance between each note in the chord.
D Major 7th — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the D Major 7th chord?
The D Major 7th chord (Dmaj7) contains four notes: D (root), F# (major third), A (perfect fifth), and C# (major seventh). The major seventh interval gives this chord its dreamy, warm, sophisticated quality.
How does D Major 7th differ from D Dominant 7th?
Both contain D, F#, and A. The difference is the seventh: Dmaj7 has C# (major seventh) while D7 has C (minor seventh). Dmaj7 sounds lush and at rest; D7 sounds tense and wants to resolve to G Major.
How is D Major 7th used in music?
Dmaj7 is the I chord in jazz harmony in D Major. It provides a richer alternative to a plain D Major triad and appears in jazz, folk-jazz, singer-songwriter, and bossa nova. D Major is a common key for acoustic music.
What genres commonly use Major 7th chords?
Major 7th chords are foundational in jazz, bossa nova, neo-soul, R&B, city pop, and lo-fi hip-hop. They also appear in classical impressionism and sophisticated pop. The smooth, dreamy quality of the major 7th is a signature of relaxed, harmonically rich music.
What songs use Major 7th chords?
Major 7th chords appear in The Girl from Ipanema (Jobim), Don't Know Why (Norah Jones), and countless jazz standards. Stevie Wonder's catalogue is filled with major 7th voicings. The warm, sophisticated sound makes it a favourite in singer-songwriter and neo-soul contexts.
Can I substitute D Major 7th for D Major?
Yes — in most contexts, Dmaj7 can replace a plain D Major chord for added colour. The exception is when the melody note is D itself, because D and C# (the major seventh) are a semitone apart and can create a harsh clash.
Practice Tips
- Play D Major then add C# — hear how the major seventh adds warmth and sophistication without creating tension.
- Compare Dmaj7 (D–F#–A–C#) with D7 (D–F#–A–C) — one semitone between C# and C, completely different musical function. Dmaj7 is home; D7 wants to leave.
- Practice Dmaj7 as the I chord in a jazz ii–V–I: Em7 → A7 → Dmaj7. This is fundamental jazz vocabulary.
- D Major is a natural acoustic key — try Dmaj7 → Gmaj7 for a warm, folk-jazz two-chord vamp.
- Try spread voicings: D–A–C#–F# for a more open, modern sound compared to close-position.
- Watch for melody clashes when the melody sits on D — the semitone between C# and D can be harsh. Use plain D Major in those spots.
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.