Db7 Guitar Chord
Db Dominant 7th · also written C#7 · Db–F–Ab–Cb
Db7 is the Db dominant 7th chord: Db–F–Ab–Cb. Its sound is bluesy and unresolved — the dominant 7th wants to pull somewhere, which is why it powers blues turnarounds and V chords. It's also written as C#7 — same notes, same shapes, different spelling.
Db7 is the V7 chord in the key of F#, which is where its pull comes from — the ♭7 (Cb) rubs against the major 3rd and demands resolution. In a 12-bar blues in Db, every chord (I7, IV7, V7) gets this dominant treatment.
The most common way to play Db7 is the a7 shape at the 4th fret (x 4 6 4 6 4, low E string to high E string). Below you'll find 6 ways to play it across the neck, from open position to barre and shell voicings, with the theory behind the chord and the progressions it lives in.
How to Play Db7: 6 Voicings
Frets are listed from the low E string to the high E string. x = don't play that string, 0 = open string.
Db7 Chord Theory
| Interval | R | 3 | 5 | ♭7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note | Db | F | Ab | Cb |
Db7 is built from the Db major scale.
Db7 Chord FAQ
What notes are in the Db7 chord?
Db7 contains 4 notes: Db (R), F (3), Ab (5), Cb (♭7). The interval formula for a dominant 7th chord is R–3–5–♭7.
What is the easiest way to play Db7 on guitar?
Use the a7 shape at the 4th fret: x 4 6 4 6 4 (frets listed from the low E string to the high E string, x = don't play that string). Db7 has no open-position shape in standard tuning, so this movable form is the standard starting point.
Is Db7 a major or minor chord?
Db7 is built on a major triad (Db–F–Ab) with the ♭7 added, so it behaves as a major-family chord.
Is Db7 the same as C#7?
Yes. Db and C# are enharmonic equivalents — the same pitch written two ways. Db7 and C#7 use identical shapes and frets; which spelling you see depends on the key of the song.
What keys use the Db7 chord?
Db7 appears diatonically in Db major (as I), Ab major (as IV), and F# major (as V) — plus Bb minor, its relative minor key.
Related Chords
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