D7 Chord

This page dives into the D7 dominant seventh chord for guitar - voicings, compatible scales and modes, plus where it grooves in iconic songs. D7 (D • F♯ • A • C) delivers that classic bluesy tension begging to resolve to G. It’s a staple in blues, rock, country, and funk.

Chord Voicings & Tablature

Common ways to play D7

Open Position (xx0212)

Classic Barre (x57575)

Bluesy Rootless (xx0212 variation)

High Voicing (10 12 10 11 10 10)

Scales & Modes That Fit Perfectly

D7 is dominant, so Mixolydian and blues scales sound especially good over it.

D Mixolydian

D E F♯ G A B C D (the classic dominant sound)

e|-------------------------5-7-|
B|---------------------5-7-----|
G|---------------4-6-7---------|
D|-----------4-7---------------|
A|-----5-7-9-------------------|
E|-5-7-------------------------|

D Blues Scale

D F G G♯ A C D

e|-------------------------5-8-|
B|---------------------5-8-----|
G|---------------5-7-8---------|
D|-----------5-7---------------|
A|-----5-6-7-------------------|
E|-5-8-------------------------|

D Minor Pentatonic

D F G A C (great blues/rock sound over D7)

e|--------------------5-8-|
B|----------------5-8-----|
G|------------5-7---------|
D|--------5-7-------------|
A|----5-8-----------------|
E|-5-8--------------------|

D7 in Legendary Songs

The bluesy crunch of D7 powers many great tracks:

• "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd – Prominent in the turnaround and solos.
• "Johnny B. Goode" by Chuck Berry – Classic 12-bar blues with strong D7 turns.
• "La Bamba" by Ritchie Valens – Punchy dominant feel in the progression.
• "Hound Dog" by Elvis Presley – Heavy D7 dominant energy.
• "Folsom Prison Blues" by Johnny Cash – Train-like groove with D7 resolve.
• "Brown Eyed Girl" by Van Morrison – Upbeat D7 to G changes.