Dbm7 Guitar Chord
Db Minor 7th · also written C#m7 · Db–Fb–Ab–Cb
Dbm7 is the Db minor 7th chord: Db–Fb–Ab–Cb. Its sound is mellow and soulful — softer than a plain minor chord, at home in funk, R&B, and jazz ii–V–I progressions. It's also written as C#m7 — same notes, same shapes, different spelling.
Dbm7 softens the Db minor triad with a ♭7 (Cb). It's the standard ii chord in B major — the first chord of the ii–V–I, jazz's most important progression — and a staple of funk vamps and R&B ballads.
The most common way to play Dbm7 is the am7 shape at the 4th fret (x 4 6 4 5 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 Dbm7: 6 Voicings
Frets are listed from the low E string to the high E string. x = don't play that string, 0 = open string.
Dbm7 Chord Theory
| Interval | R | ♭3 | 5 | ♭7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note | Db | Fb | Ab | Cb |
Dbm7 is built from the Db minor scale.
Dbm7 Chord FAQ
What notes are in the Dbm7 chord?
Dbm7 contains 4 notes: Db (R), Fb (♭3), Ab (5), Cb (♭7). The interval formula for a minor 7th chord is R–♭3–5–♭7.
What is the easiest way to play Dbm7 on guitar?
Use the am7 shape at the 4th fret: x 4 6 4 5 4 (frets listed from the low E string to the high E string, x = don't play that string). Dbm7 has no open-position shape in standard tuning, so this movable form is the standard starting point.
Is Dbm7 a major or minor chord?
Dbm7 is built on a minor triad (Db–Fb–Ab) with the ♭7 added, so it behaves as a minor-family chord.
Is Dbm7 the same as C#m7?
Yes. Db and C# are enharmonic equivalents — the same pitch written two ways. Dbm7 and C#m7 use identical shapes and frets; which spelling you see depends on the key of the song.
What keys use the Dbm7 chord?
Dbm7 appears diatonically in E major (as vi), B major (as ii), and A major (as iii) — plus it's the home chord (i) of Db minor.
Related Chords
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