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Dbmaj7 Guitar Chord

Db Major 7th · also written C#maj7 · Db–F–Ab–C

Dbmaj7 is the Db major 7th chord: Db–F–Ab–C. Its sound is smooth and dreamy — the lush, jazzy color heard in ballads, neo-soul, and bossa nova. It's also written as C#maj7 — same notes, same shapes, different spelling.

Dbmaj7 takes the plain Db major triad and adds the major 7th (C), one half-step below the root. That single note transforms it from a campfire chord into the lush sound of jazz standards, neo-soul, and city pop. It works as the I chord in Db major and the IV chord in Ab major.

The most common way to play Dbmaj7 is the amaj7 shape at the 4th fret (x 4 6 5 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 Dbmaj7: 6 Voicings

Frets are listed from the low E string to the high E string. x = don't play that string, 0 = open string.

Dbmaj7 — Amaj7 shape, 4th fret4
Amaj7 shape
4th fret
x 4 6 5 6 4
Dbmaj7 — A-string guide shell, 3rd fret3
A-string guide shell
3rd fret
x 4 3 5 6 x
Dbmaj7 — Top color, 1st fret
Top color
1st fret
x x x 5 2 1
Dbmaj7 — Emaj7 shape, 9th fret9
Emaj7 shape
9th fret
9 11 10 10 9 9
Dbmaj7 — D-string guide shell, 10th fret10
D-string guide shell
10th fret
x x 11 10 13 x
Dbmaj7 — Color spread, 11th fret11
Color spread
11th fret
x x 11 13 13 13

Dbmaj7 Chord Theory

IntervalR357
NoteDbFAbC

Dbmaj7 is built from the Db major scale.

Dbmaj7 Chord FAQ

What notes are in the Dbmaj7 chord?

Dbmaj7 contains 4 notes: Db (R), F (3), Ab (5), C (7). The interval formula for a major 7th chord is R–3–5–7.

What is the easiest way to play Dbmaj7 on guitar?

Use the amaj7 shape at the 4th fret: x 4 6 5 6 4 (frets listed from the low E string to the high E string, x = don't play that string). Dbmaj7 has no open-position shape in standard tuning, so this movable form is the standard starting point.

Is Dbmaj7 a major or minor chord?

Dbmaj7 is built on a major triad (Db–F–Ab) with the 7 added, so it behaves as a major-family chord.

Is Dbmaj7 the same as C#maj7?

Yes. Db and C# are enharmonic equivalents — the same pitch written two ways. Dbmaj7 and C#maj7 use identical shapes and frets; which spelling you see depends on the key of the song.

What keys use the Dbmaj7 chord?

Dbmaj7 appears diatonically in Db major (as I), Ab major (as IV), and F# major (as V) — plus Bb minor, its relative minor key.

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Dbmaj7 Guitar Chord: How to Play Db Major 7th | OpenFret