D7 Guitar Chord

D7 is the D dominant seventh chord. It has four notes: D, F♯, A and C. The open shape is a small three finger triangle at the first two frets, no barre needed. Because D7 points straight at G, it appears in a huge share of songs in the key of G.

Three fingers in a tight triangle over the first two frets, with the open D string as the bass.

How to play D7, step by step

Index finger: 1st fret, B string
Middle finger: 2nd fret, G string
Ring finger: 2nd fret, high E string
Leave the D string open. Strum from the D string down, skipping the two lowest strings.

If you already play open D major, look closely: D7 is the same triangle turned upside down, with the point now on the B string instead of the high E.

More ways to play D7

There are 4 common D7 shapes in total: the standard one at the top of the page, plus these, easiest first. You only ever need one. Tap any card to hear it.

D7 guitar chord diagram, barre at fret 5, played x57575 — Barre at fret 5

D7 guitar chord diagram, barre at fret 10, played 10 12 10 11 10 10 — Barre at fret 10

D7 guitar chord diagram, compact, frets 12 to 14, played x x 12 14 13 14 — Compact, frets 12 to 14

Songs that use the D7 chord

If D7 sounds thin or buzzy

You keep hitting the low strings: Aim the strum at the open D string and let the wrist follow through. Draping the thumb over the low E means a stray strum does no harm.
B string buzzes: The index finger sits at the 1st fret, where strings need the most accuracy. Move it right up behind the fret wire and press with the tip.
Open D string does not ring: The middle finger on the G string is probably sagging across it. Arch the finger so the open D underneath stays clear.

What makes it a D7

D · F♯ · A · C 1 3 5 ♭7

D7 is a D major triad (D, F♯, A) plus a minor seventh (C). The C wants to fall to B and the F♯ wants to rise to G, and together they drag the whole chord onto G. That is the V7 job: in the keys of G major and G minor, D7 is the chord that announces the next stop is home. Folk, country and early rock lean on this move constantly, which is why D7 was one of the first chords printed in nearly every old guitar method book.

D vs D7

The two chords differ by one note inside the triangle: D major puts a D on the 3rd fret of the B string, D7 lowers it to a C on the 1st fret. The fingering flips, but the footprint on the neck is almost the same size. D major sounds finished; D7 leans forward. Play D7 in the bar before a G chord and the arrival will sound planned.

D7 chord questions

Is D7 a beginner chord?

Yes. Three fingers, first two frets, no barre. It is commonly taught alongside G and C in the first months.

What is the difference between D and D7?

One note. The D on the B string drops to a C, which flips the triangle shape upside down and makes the chord pull toward G.

How many strings do you strum in D7?

Four. The open D string is the bass note; the low E and A strings stay out.

What does D7 resolve to?

G. D7 is the dominant (V) chord of G major and G minor.

What songs use D7?

Wild World and Kiss Me use D7 inside their main progressions, and it holds down the blues in Crossroads and Route 66.