Dmaj7: guitar chord voicings, inversions, scales and arpeggios

Dmaj7 (Major 7) is an interactive GuitarArcanum page with chord formula, intervals, voicings, inversions, triads, pentatonic patterns, scales and arpeggios on the fretboard.

Chord formula

Interval formula: 1 3 5 7. A major triad with a major 7th. A soft, dreamy tonic chord — the signature sound of jazz and bossa nova.

Chord tones

The major 7th, a half-step below the root, gives a gentle tension on top. It's what sets maj7 apart from a plain major.

Sound character

Soft, bright and dreamy — a calm, 'expensive' major.

Harmonic function

A tonic. The resting chord in a major key, and also on the IV.

Typical progressions

Em7 – A7 – Dmaj7
Dmaj7 – Bm7 – Em7 – A7
Gmaj7 – Dmaj7

Guitar voicing advice

Keep the 3rd and 7th close together — that's the core. Drop the 5th; avoid doubling the root right under the 7th in a tight voicing.

Fretboard voicings for Dmaj7

A few curated Dmaj7 shapes with fret numbers, intervals and root markers.

Dmaj7 — Drop 2, root on 6th string, frets 9–12

Dmaj7 — Drop 2, root on 5th string, frets 4–8

Dmaj7 — Drop 2, root on 4th string, frets 1–3

Compatible scales for Dmaj7

Open interactive scale pages that naturally pair with this chord.

Other chord qualities on the D root

Compare this chord with other qualities sharing the same root.