Piano chord
D7D dominant seventh
- D1
- F♯3
- A5
- C♭7
- Notes
- 4
- Positions
- 4
- Span
- 10semitones
- Fingers
- 1-3-4-5
How to play D7 on piano
- Find D: it is the root and the lowest note of the chord in root position.
- Right hand: 1 on D, 3 on F♯, 4 on A, 5 on C.
- Or with the left hand: 5 on D, 3 on F♯, 2 on A, 1 on C.
- Press the keys together, with curved fingers and a loose wrist, and let them ring.
Root position · D – F♯ – A – C
1st inversion · F♯ – A – C – D
2nd inversion · A – C – D – F♯
3rd inversion · C – D – F♯ – A
Numbers on the keys are fingers: 1 thumb, 2 index, 3 middle, 4 ring, 5 little finger.
D7 inversions
D7 can be played in 4 positions. In root position D is at the bottom; each inversion moves the lowest note up an octave, so another chord tone becomes the bass.
- Root positionbass: DRight hand 1-3-4-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
- 1st inversionbass: F♯Right hand 1-2-4-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
- 2nd inversionbass: ARight hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-4-3-1
- 3rd inversionbass: CRight hand 1-2-4-5 · Left hand 5-4-2-1
Chords that go with D7
The other chords of G major, the key where D7 is home (V7). Songs in this key move between them.
D7 with two hands
A full sound: the left hand plays D an octave lower, the right hand plays D–F♯–A–C.
D7 on other instruments
About the D7 chord
D dominant seventh has 4 notes: D (1), F♯ (3), A (5), C (♭7). A dominant seventh: a major triad with the flat seventh on top. It creates tension that wants to resolve, usually to the chord a fifth below.
On the keyboard, start from D and add the other notes above it: D – F♯ – A – C. From the lowest to the highest key that is 10 semitones. That is less than an octave, so D7 sits comfortably under one hand.
Each inversion of D7 puts a different note in the bass. In the 1st inversion the bass is F♯ (F♯–A–C–D). In the 2nd inversion the bass is A (A–C–D–F♯). In the 3rd inversion the bass is C (C–D–F♯–A).
D7 is D with one note added: C.
Keys that contain D7: G major (V7), E minor (VII7), G minor (V7).
Questions
What notes are in the D7 chord?
D7 (D dominant seventh) has 4 notes: D (1), F♯ (3), A (5), C (♭7).
How many inversions does D7 have?
D7 can be played in 4 positions: Root position (D–F♯–A–C); 1st inversion (F♯–A–C–D); 2nd inversion (A–C–D–F♯); 3rd inversion (C–D–F♯–A).
What is the difference between D7 and D?
D7 is D with one note added: C.
Can I play D7 with one hand?
Yes. In root position D7 spans 10 semitones, less than an octave, so one hand holds it easily.