D dominant 7th flat 5 · Guitar
D7♭5 Chord on Guitar
The D7♭5 chord (D dominant 7th flat 5) is built from the notes D, F#, G# and C. The guitar fingering for it is shown below.
Chord diagrams
Fingering
- string 6 (E): muted
- string 5 (A): muted
- string 4 (D): played open
- string 3 (G): fret 0 — index finger
- string 2 (B): fret 0 — index finger
- string 1 (E): fret 1 — middle finger
Notes in this chord
- D
- F♯
- G♯
- C
Degrees: 1 – 3 – ♭5 – ♭7
How to play
Every guitar shape for D7♭5 needs a barre, and the lowest one starts at fret 0. Keep the index finger straight and as close to the fret wire as possible, and let the wrist rather than the thumb supply the pressure.
Theory behind the chord
The 7♭5 chord lowers the fifth of a dominant seventh, thinning out the chord and sharpening its tension. It shows up in jazz and in altered dominant sounds heading towards a resolution. On D7♭5 this structure sits on the root D, so the degrees 1 – 3 – ♭5 – ♭7 map onto D, F#, G# and C.
Frequently asked questions
- Which notes are in the D7♭5 chord?
- D7♭5 contains the notes D, F#, G# and C. Relative to the root these are the degrees 1 – 3 – ♭5 – ♭7.
- How many ways can you play D7♭5?
- Minory lists a single guitar fingering for D7♭5, and it is a barre shape.
- Is the D7♭5 chord hard to play?
- D7♭5 requires a barre, so it can feel demanding at first. Keeping the index finger straight and pressing from the wrist rather than the thumb makes it noticeably easier.
Practise D7♭5 on your phone
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