D7 Chord On The Guitar (D Dominant 7) – Diagrams, Finger Positions and Theory

The D7 (D dominant 7) chord contains the notes D, F#, A and C. It is produced by taking the root (1), 3, 5 and b7 of the D Major scale. It is essentially a D chord, with an added flat 7.

The D7 is a popular open chord and used often in the key of D. Is is also commonly played with the root note on the 5th fret of the 5th string (second shape down, in the picture below).

D7 is short for D dominant 7. The dominant 7 chord is a significant chord, because it plays a very important function in any given key.

The dominant 7 chord functions as a chord that resolves to the first chord in a key. For example, the D dominant 7 chord resolves to the G Major chord (which is the first chord in the key of G)

10 Ways To Play The D7 Chord

If you’ve come to this page just to view some chord diagrams for D7, here they are.

D7 Chord 10 Shapes

Some Quick D7 Chord Theory

  • The D7 chord contains the notes D, F#, A and C.
  • D7 is short for D dominant 7.
  • The D7 chord is produced by taking the 1 (root), 3, 5 and b7 of the D Major scale.
  • The D7 is the fifth chord in the key of G. It resolves naturally to the G Major chord.
  • The D7 chord (just like all dominant 7 chords) contains the following intervals (starting from the root note): major 3rd, minor 3rd, minor 3rd, tone (which leads back to the root note).
  • The D mixolydian mode can be used when soloing over the D dominant 7 chord.

Further Reading