D Minor Major 7th
Hear the D Minor Major 7th chord played for you.
Dm(maj7)
D – F – A – C♯
Formula:R-m3-P5-M7
Intervals:P1-m3-P5-M7
Scale Degrees:1-b3-5-7
Introduction
The D Minor Major 7th chord is a four-note chord made up of D, F, A, and C♯. It is built from a root, minor third, perfect fifth, and major seventh.
The D Minor Major 7th piano chord (DmMaj7) consists of the notes D, F, A, C#. It is a minor triad with an added major 7th, giving it a dark and complex character with strong tension, often used in jazz and minor key progressions. Formula: R-m3-P5-M7 | Scale degrees: 1-b3-5-7.
Notes
D Minor Major 7th Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | D – F – A – C♯ |
| 1st Inversion | F – A – C♯ – D |
| 2nd Inversion | A – C♯ – D – F |
| 3rd Inversion | D – F – A – C♯ |
Key Signature
The key of D Minor Major 7th has 1 flat.
B♭
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 D Minor
These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the D minor scale:
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
i — D Minor (minor)
Theory: Intervals
Formula: R-m3-P5-M7
Intervals: P1-m3-P5-M7
The D Minor 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 Minor Major 7th — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the D Minor Major 7th chord?
DmMaj7 contains: D, F, A, C#. Minor triad with major seventh.
How does DmMaj7 differ from Dm7?
DmMaj7 has C# (major seventh), Dm7 has C (minor seventh).
How is DmMaj7 used in music?
Harmonic minor i chord. Film noir, jazz. Descending line Dm → DmMaj7 → Dm7 → Dm6.
What songs use Minor Major 7th?
James Bond, My Funny Valentine, Stairway to Heaven.
Why does it sound tense?
Minor third (F) and major seventh (C#) create close dissonance.
How does DmMaj7 differ from Dmaj7?
DmMaj7 has minor third (F). Dmaj7 has major third (F#).
Practice Tips
- Play Dm then add C# — hear the dramatic tension.
- Descending line: Dm → DmMaj7 → Dm7 → Dm6.
- Compare with Dm7.
- Film noir sound.
- Harmonic minor i chord.
- The F–C# interval creates tension.
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.