Dmaj7 Ukulele Chord

Dmaj7 is the D major seventh chord. It has four notes: D, F sharp, A and C sharp. The standard shape is the plain D barre at the 2nd fret with one addition: the ring finger reaches to the 4th fret of the A string for the C sharp.

The plain D barre at the 2nd fret with the ring finger added at the 4th fret of the A string. Movable up the neck.

How to play Dmaj7 on ukulele, step by step

Index finger: press flat across the G to E strings at fret 2
Ring finger: 4th fret, A string
Strum all four strings.

Think of it as D plus one: hold the 2nd fret barre of the D chord and add the ring finger at the 4th fret. Let the reach go and you are back on plain D, which is exactly how songs use the pair.

More ways to play Dmaj7

There are 3 common Dmaj7 shapes: the standard one at the top of the page, plus these further up the neck. You only ever need one. Tap any card to hear it.

Dmaj7 ukulele chord diagram, frets 4 to 7, played 7654 — Frets 4 to 7

Dmaj7 ukulele chord diagram, frets 6 to 9, played 7690 — Frets 6 to 9

If it buzzes under the barre

A string inside the barre buzzes: The index covers the G, C and E strings at the 2nd fret. Roll it slightly toward the nut so the bonier edge presses, and keep it snug behind the fret wire.
The 4th fret note pulls the barre out of place: Anchor the index first, then send the ring finger out on its own. If the whole hand slides up to help, the barre lifts and the middle of the chord dies.
The top note buzzes at the 4th fret: Land the ring fingertip just behind the fret wire and press straight down. A flat or distant finger at that fret is the usual rattle.

What makes it a Dmaj7

D · F♯ · A · C♯ 1 3 5 7

Dmaj7 is a major seventh chord: a D major triad (D, F sharp, A) plus a major seventh (C sharp). The C sharp sits a half step below the root and gives the chord the floating, unresolved sweetness every maj7 shares.

Dmaj7 is the I chord of D major and the IV chord of A major, two of the friendliest ukulele keys. It is also the classic soft substitute wherever a song in D wants less finality from its home chord.

D vs Dmaj7

D major is 2220 with the open A string on top. Dmaj7 is 2224: the open A becomes a C sharp at the 4th fret, so the highest voice of the chord moves from the root down a half step's tension above it. The barre underneath does not move at all.

Plain D closes the sentence; Dmaj7 leaves it open. Swap them inside a song in D and the same bar suddenly breathes differently.

Dmaj7 chord questions

Do I need a barre for Dmaj7?

The standard shape barres three strings at the 2nd fret, the same barre as plain D. If barres are not working yet, the 7654 staircase further down the page plays the chord with one finger per string.

What is the difference between Dmaj7 and D7?

One fret on the A string. D7 is 2223 with a C natural; Dmaj7 is 2224 with a C sharp. Bluesy and pushing versus soft and settled, one finger apart.

Do you strum all four strings in Dmaj7?

Yes. The barre carries the fifth, root and third, and the 4th fret note on the A string is the seventh.

Is the Dmaj7 shape movable?

Yes. 2224 has no open strings, so the grip slides: two frets up it is Emaj7 at 4446, and so on up the neck.

What keys use Dmaj7?

It is the I chord of D major and the IV chord of A major, both home keys for a huge share of ukulele songs.