D dominant 7th · Ukulele
D7 Chord on Ukulele
The D7 chord (D dominant 7th) is built from the notes D, F#, A and C. The ukulele fingering for it is shown below.
Chord diagrams
Fingering
- string 4 (G): fret 2 — index finger
- string 3 (C): fret 2 — index finger
- string 2 (E): fret 2 — index finger
- string 1 (A): fret 3 — middle finger
Notes in this chord
- D
- F♯
- A
- C
Degrees: 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7
How to play
Every ukulele shape for D7 needs a barre, and the lowest one starts at fret 2. 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
Dominant seventh chords add a minor seventh on top of a major triad. The tension between the third and the seventh is what makes them pull towards the chord a fourth above — the engine of blues and jazz turnarounds. On D7 this structure sits on the root D, so the degrees 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7 map onto D, F#, A and C.
Frequently asked questions
- Which notes are in the D7 chord?
- D7 contains the notes D, F#, A and C. Relative to the root these are the degrees 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7.
- How many ways can you play D7?
- Minory lists a single ukulele fingering for D7, and it is a barre shape.
- Is the D7 chord hard to play?
- D7 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 on your phone
Minory bundles the full chord library with a tuner, metronome and repertoire notebook — and it all works offline.
