- D♭maj7
- G♭maj7Gbmaj7
Dbmaj7 Guitar Chord
Everything about the Db Major 7 (Barre) chord: How to play it, what it's built from, the chords it pairs with, and examples of pros using it in real performances.
NotesD♭ • F • A♭ • C
Difficulty
Moderate
A-string root barre shape
What is the Dbmaj7 chord?
The Dbmaj7 chord is a four-note major seventh chord built from a Db major triad (Db, F, Ab) plus the defining major seventh tone (C). It has a warm, sophisticated, and open sound—elegant without being dark or melancholic—that sits beautifully in jazz, R&B, neo-soul, and contemporary pop. The a-string barre voicing (x-4-6-5-6-4) is moderately challenging, requiring a solid barre across the fourth fret and careful finger placement, but it rewards practice with a full, resonant tone that works well in both comping and melodic contexts.
Notes & intervals
The chord spells Db (root), F (major third), Ab (perfect fifth), and C (major seventh). The major seventh interval—just a half step below the octave—gives Dbmaj7 its signature warm, open character, distinguishing it from the darker sound of a dominant seventh.
Where it's used
Dbmaj7 appears frequently as a I chord in the key of Db across jazz standards, R&B ballads, neo-soul, and contemporary pop. It also serves as a color chord or passing harmony in other keys, adding sophistication to turnarounds and intro vamps.
Dbmaj7 vs. Dbmaj7
Dbmaj7 differs from Db7 by a single note: the C natural (major seventh) in Dbmaj7 becomes Cb (dominant seventh) in Db7. This swap transforms the chord from sophisticated and resolved to bluesy and unresolved, completely changing its harmonic function and emotional weight.
Mood & character
Dbmaj7 evokes calm confidence, openness, and gentle sophistication—a chord that feels both grounded and aspirational. Reach for it when you want warmth without darkness, or when you need a major sound that feels more refined and less predictable than a simple triad.
Voicings for Dbmaj7
Four ways to play it using the same four notes. Pick a voicing below to hear it on the fretboard.
- NotesD♭ • A♭ • C • F • A♭DifficultyModerate
A-string root barre shape
Progressions that use Dbmaj7
Hear how the chord works in context of songs.
Learn to play Dbmaj7 from the experts
Handpicked lessons from TrueFire courses that lean on this chord.
Lessons are being curated
We're hand-picking TrueFire lessons that feature Dbmaj7. Check back soon — or explore the full library now.
Stop scrolling chord pages. Start actually learning guitar.
Try 7 days free. Cancel any time.
- Full library access
- Guided learning paths
- Unlimited jams
- Interactive video tools
Frequently asked questions for Dbmaj7
Dbmaj7 is built from four notes: Db (the root), F (the major third), Ab (the perfect fifth), and C (the major seventh). These four tones stack to create the chord's warm, sophisticated sound. You can remember it as a Db major triad (Db–F–Ab) with a major seventh (C) added on top.
The standard barre voicing is x-4-6-5-6-4, starting at the fourth fret. Place your index finger as a barre across the fourth fret (strings 2, 4, and 6), your middle finger on the fifth fret of the fourth string, and your ring finger on the sixth fret of the second string. Your pinky goes on the sixth fret of the third string. Mute the first string. It takes practice to get all the notes ringing clearly, but this voicing gives you a full, resonant tone.
The only difference is one note: Dbmaj7 has a C natural (major seventh), while Db7 has a B natural (dominant seventh). That single half-step change completely transforms the chord's character—Dbmaj7 sounds warm and resolved, while Db7 sounds bluesy and unresolved. In jazz and pop, Dbmaj7 is typically used as a tonic or color chord, whereas Db7 usually functions as a dominant chord that wants to move somewhere else.
Yes! The barre chord is a movable shape. If you move the entire fingering up or down the neck, you get different major seventh chords. For example, moving it up two frets (to the sixth fret) gives you Ebmaj7. This movable property makes the barre voicing very practical—once you master the shape, you can play major seventh chords in any key.
Use Dbmaj7 when you want a more sophisticated, open, and refined sound than a simple Db major triad. It's perfect for jazz standards, R&B ballads, neo-soul, and contemporary pop. The major seventh adds elegance and sophistication without darkening the chord. If a plain Db major feels too simple or predictable for your progression, Dbmaj7 often fits beautifully as a tonic or color chord.