All 6 ways to play Db7 on guitar
-
x4342x at the 2nd fret -
x43101 open position -
x43404 open position -
x46464 at the 4th fret -
986667 at the 6th fret -
9-11-9-10-9-9 at the 9th fret
Diagrams: strings run from the lowest on the left; X = don't play, O = open string, numbers = fingers (1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little finger).
How to play Db7 on guitar
Main shape: x4342x (at the 2nd fret).
- Put your ring finger (3) on the 4th fret of the A (5th) string.
- Put your middle finger (2) on the 3rd fret of the D (4th) string.
- Put your little finger (4) on the 4th fret of the G (3rd) string.
- Put your index finger (1) on the 2nd fret of the B (2nd) string.
- Don't play the low E (6th) or high E (1st) strings (marked X).
- Strum from the A (5th) string down (4 strings).
Db7 notes and intervals
| Note | Formula | Interval from the root |
|---|---|---|
| D♭ | 1 | root |
| F | 3 | major 3rd |
| A♭ | 5 | perfect 5th |
| C♭ (= B) | ♭7 | minor 7th |
Inversions: the same notes with another one in the bass, written as slash chords: D♭7/F (1st inversion), D♭7/A♭ (2nd inversion) and D♭7/C♭ (3rd inversion).
Easier ways to play Db7
- In rock songs, the D♭5 power chord (D♭ and A♭ only) can stand in: it has no 3rd, so it is neither major nor minor.
Db7 on piano and ukulele
-
D♭7 on piano D♭ – F – A♭ – C♭ -
D♭7 on ukulele 1112
Which keys use Db7?
D♭7 is one of the basic chords of 2 keys. Its number (Roman numeral) and job change with the key:
| Key | Written | Numeral | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| F♯ major | C♯7 | V7 | dominant |
| D♯ minor | C♯7 | VII7 | dominant |
| F♯ minor | C♯7 | V7 | dominant (harmonic minor) |
Progressions with Db7
- ii–V–I in F♯ major: G♯m7 – C♯7 – F♯maj7 A cadence that is extremely common in jazz.
- 12-bar blues in A♭ major: A♭7 – A♭7 – A♭7 – A♭7 – D♭7 – D♭7 – A♭7 – A♭7 – E♭7 – D♭7 – A♭7 – E♭7 Twelve bars of I, IV and V with dominant 7th chords: one of the most prominent progressions in popular music.
- iiø–V–i in F♯ minor: G♯m7♭5 – C♯7 – F♯m7 The minor ii–V–i of jazz.