Piano chord
Dmaj7D major seventh
- D1
- F♯3
- A5
- C♯7
- Notes
- 4
- Positions
- 4
- Span
- 11semitones
- Fingers
- 1-2-3-5
How to play Dmaj7 on piano
- Find D: it is the root and the lowest note of the chord in root position.
- Right hand: 1 on D, 2 on F♯, 3 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.
Dmaj7 inversions
Dmaj7 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 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
- 1st inversionbass: F♯Right hand 1-2-4-5 · Left hand 5-4-2-1
- 2nd inversionbass: ARight hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
- 3rd inversionbass: C♯Right hand 1-2-4-5 · Left hand 5-4-2-1
Chords that go with Dmaj7
The other chords of D major, the key where Dmaj7 is home (Imaj7). Songs in this key move between them.
Dmaj7 with two hands
A full sound: the left hand plays D an octave lower, the right hand plays D–F♯–A–C♯.
Dmaj7 on other instruments
About the Dmaj7 chord
D major seventh has 4 notes: D (1), F♯ (3), A (5), C♯ (7). A major seventh: a major triad with the natural seventh, one semitone below the octave. It sounds smooth and dreamy, common in jazz, soul and bossa nova.
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 11 semitones. That is less than an octave, so Dmaj7 sits comfortably under one hand.
Each inversion of Dmaj7 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).
Dmaj7 is D with one note added: C♯.
Keys that contain Dmaj7: D major (Imaj7), A major (IVmaj7), B minor (IIImaj7), F sharp minor (VImaj7).
Questions
What notes are in the Dmaj7 chord?
Dmaj7 (D major seventh) has 4 notes: D (1), F♯ (3), A (5), C♯ (7).
How many inversions does Dmaj7 have?
Dmaj7 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 Dmaj7 and D?
Dmaj7 is D with one note added: C♯.
Can I play Dmaj7 with one hand?
Yes. In root position Dmaj7 spans 11 semitones, less than an octave, so one hand holds it easily.