D7 Guitar Chord

The D7 guitar chord can be played in several positions, which will be mapped out for you in this lesson. Provided also are examples of chord progressions that use this chord.

A little theory to begin with...

The D7 chord is made up of the major triad and an additional tone - the flat 7th (b7). This gives us a four note dominant 7th chord (dominant referring to the flat 7th). The notes that make up D7 include the Root (D), 3rd (F#), 5th (A) and flat 7th (C).

Dominant 7th chords can be seen as extentions of the basic major triad. Using the flat 7th adds colour and depth to the major chord. So, you have the option to use the dom-7th in place of a regular major chord, using one of the forms below, to help spice up your chord progressions.

D7 guitar chord positions

The below diagrams show you several positions in which you can play the D7 chord, right across the fretboard. So wherever you are, you'll have easy access to this chord and several voicings to play around with. Learning them all ensures you have the variation you need to play intuitively.

The first two forms are in the open position, the others provide voicings further up the fretboard.


Fret 5	Fret 5
Fret 5	Fret 7
Fret 9	Fret 10

The open D string can provide a root note on any of these chord forms. You'll notice that the forms which make use of the top 3 strings (G B e) use the open D string for the root note.

Chord progressions that use the D7 chord

Here are some chord progression examples that use the D7 chord.

Am / D7 / G / Em

Bm / D7 / G / F#

Eb / D7 / Gm

Em / C / D7 / Em

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