Here, this guide will put every learner or aspiring professional guitar player through the definition and meaning of D7 guitar chords and ways to play and practice the chord.
What is a D7 guitar chord?
D7 is also known as the D dominant 7 chord that contains notes like D, f sharp, A, and C. It can be recreated by adding the roots of 1,3,5 and b7 of the D major scale. A basic definition would be a D chord with an extra 7 flat.
The D7 chord is an open chord used often in the key D and is usually played with the root note at the 5th fret of the 5th string. It is also a short form of D dominant 7. The dominant 7 chord is a major chord and very important for its function in any given key.
The D7 chord has this function of resolving to the first chord in a key. A good example is the D dominant 7 chord resolving into the G major chord and is the first chord in key G.
The D7 chord is thicker than it appears; this is because guitars have a rigid third-order harmonic, which is the 5th of the note being played, and this results in:
D- harmonics. D D A D
F sharp- harmonics F# F# C# F#
A- harmonics A A E A
C- harmonics C C G C
The chart above shows that the D7 chord has harmonics of D E F# G A C C# notes respectfully, and it shows seven notes with the inclusion of three semitones and another two.
Adding a G to chord gives you D11, D F# A C E G, and this is a collective stack of the notes D major, F# diminished, and C major. You can as well add a B flat (Bb), which results in a D13 D13.
Here are quick D7 chord tips you should know:
- The chord contains D, F#, A, and C notes.
- The chord also regarded as D dominant 7
- It is the fifth chord in the G key, and it resolves to the chord of G major.
- Like all dominant 7 chords, it contains the following at Intervals: major 3rd, minor 3rd, minor 3rd tone. This leads to the root note.
2 Ways To Play This Chord
Generally, 7th chords are simple ways to add color and rich tone to chord progressions. Out of all open 7th chords, D7 is the most played chord, and here you’ll get to learn the most common ways of playing the D7 chord. These common ways are not much, but they’re the best possible ways of knowing the chord. How you can practice them will be listed after.
Method 1
The basic D7 chord is much like D major’s chord. You may or may not know this, based on your level of experience playing the guitar. You have just one note difference in between. To start with,
- Lay the index finger on the first fret of the second string
- Let the middle finger rest on the second fret of the third-string.
- Put the ring finger on the second fret of the first string.
The fourth can be played open and is known as the root note. The fifth string can also be played free, but using the first four strings helps. To build you some muscle memory, form the chord a few times, lift your fingers while you take note of air changes, form the chord a few more times.
Rinse and repeat the process over again to get used to it. Strum the guitar to hear your sound. If there’s a buzzing sound or muted notes, check your fingers and adjust them as you should. Try this again and again, constantly.
Method 2
Before trying out the first method, check out this second method to see which one is easy for you. However, it’s not easy until you learn it. Think of it as a C7 chord with two frets up.
Here’s how you try it:
- Place the index finger on the third fret of the second string.
- Put the middle finger on the fourth fret of the fourth string.
- Place the ring finger on the fifth fret of the fifth string. This gives the C shape with two frets up.
- Place the smallest finger on the fifth fret of the third string. The first string must be left open.
To help build your muscle memory, form the chord a few times, lift your hands while taking notes of air changes as you try forming the chord again and again. Strum your guitar with your fingers in the right places. If you notice muted notes or a buzzing sound, check and adjust the fingers properly.
How to practice the D7 Chord
Practicing the D7 chord is too much of a task to grab the basic idea behind the chord formation. With constant practice, you should be able to play the chord without muting notes.
First off, your tempo must be slow but steady, in a 1-2-3-4 rhythm. Strum and hold the chord for two beats. Repeat the process.
Secondly, strum and hold again for two beats, then lift your fingers off the guitar for another two beats. Form the chord again and strum for two beats. This second part will help you form the chord real quick, but you must first start slowly. Use a metronome if you can’t count the beats. It helps.
Try hitting the first four strings for method 1 and the first five strings for method 2; if you accidentally miss a note, hit the strings again. Spending much time on that is not ideal, but taking note of it. Good luck with the selective strings and frets.
