D# Dominant 7th Guitar Chord — Open D
Guitar chord voicings in Open D tuning (D-A-D-F#-A-D)
D# Dominant 7th Voicings in Open D
D# Dominant 7th filtered by fret:
D# Dominant 7th in Open D Tuning — Guide
The D# Dominant 7th chord is made up of the following notes: D#, F##, A#, C#.
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 5P, 7m.
The D# Dominant 7th chord in Open D tuning (D-A-D-F#-A-D) requires different fingerings than standard tuning.
The D# dominant seventh chord adds a minor seventh to a major triad, creating a four-note structure with intervals 1P, 3M, 5P, 7m and notes D#, F##, A#, C#. This tension between the major third and the minor seventh gives dominant sevenths their restless, bluesy character — they want to resolve. They are the driving force behind blues progressions, jazz turnarounds, and classical cadences where harmonic motion demands forward momentum.
How to Play D# Dominant 7th
On guitar, D# 7 is most commonly played as a barre chord. The E-shape barre at fret 3 or the A-shape barre provide the two most practical voicings. Mastering barre chord technique unlocks this chord in every position along the neck, giving you freedom to play in any key.
D# Dominant 7th in Progressions
D# dominant seventh most commonly functions as the V7 in G# major or G# minor, creating a strong pull toward resolution. It also serves as the I7 in D# blues progressions and as a secondary dominant targeting other chords in a key.
Common Substitutions
D#9, D#13, or the tritone substitute A7 all work as alternatives, keeping the dominant function intact.
Difficulty: On guitar, this chord typically requires a barre — intermediate difficulty, but essential for playing in sharp keys.