The chord collection

The Dmaj7 chord, left-handed

Intermediate · Major seventh. Build the shape, check each string and hear how it sounds.

Left-handed Dmaj7 diagram

Vertical: high e on the left, nut at the top. Horizontal: high e at the top, nut on the right. X = silent, O = open. Dot numbers are fingers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little. A thick line joins notes held with one finger as a barre.

Fret and finger guide

Both codes read from low E to high e, regardless of the diagram view.

Frets
x · x · 0 · 2 · 2 · 2
Fingers
– · – · – · 1 · 1 · 1
Level
Intermediate (this fingering)

Make a clean Dmaj7 chord

Lay a small index barre across G, B and high e at fret 2. Begin at open D.

  1. Place one finger at a time, just behind the fret wire.
  2. Pick each sounding string slowly. Adjust any finger that mutes its neighbour.
  3. Release pressure, then make the shape again. Aim for a relaxed hand.
  4. Strum four beats, rest for four, then repeat. Rest if your hand becomes tired; stop if you feel pain.

Another way to play it

Use fingers 1, 2 and 3 separately on the three fret-2 notes if the small barre is uncomfortable.

Fret codes are written low E to high e. An x means leave that string silent.

Practise chord changes with a metronome →
Understand the sound

Dmaj7 notes and chord formula

A major seventh adds the note one semitone below the root to a major triad. It has a different sound from a dominant seventh: maj7 and 7 are different chord symbols.

Formula
1 – 3 – 5 – 7
Chord notes
D – F# – A – C#

How to read chord diagrams · Build a comfortable barre · Connect chord shapes with CAGED

Explore related shapes

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