Major Seventh Chords

Let’s look at how to play a D flat major 7 chord on the piano. We’ll also learn the pattern for building any other major seventh chord.

What Are Major Seventh Chords?

Major seventh chords are major chords with an added note. The added note is the seventh note of the matching major scale.

So to build a major seventh chord, we’ll start by building a major chord. We can build a major chord using the first, third and fifth notes of the matching major scale.

Then to convert the major chord into a major seventh chord, we’ll add the seventh note of the matching major scale.

Chord Types Printable

Learn to play 17 types of piano chords using 12 different root notes with this 35-page PDF! Chords are sorted both by their root note and type.

Get the Printable

How to Play a D Flat Major 7 Chord

So to play a D flat major 7 chord, we’ll first build a D flat major chord using the first, third and fifth notes of the D flat major scale: D♭ – F – A♭

Then we’ll find the seventh note of the D flat major scale and add it to the chord: C

So to play a D flat major 7 chord, we’ll play:

D♭ – F – A♭ – C

We can use this pattern to build any other major seventh chord. We’ll build a major chord using the first, third and fifth notes of the matching major scale. Then we’ll find the seventh note of the matching major scale and add it to the chord.

Chord Fingering

To play this chord with the right hand, we can use fingers 1 – 2 – 3 – 5 (thumbs are 1’s). To play this chord with the left hand, we can use fingers 5 – 3 – 2 – 1.

Other Seventh Chords

Since there are different types of seventh chords, it can help to compare their differences:

Seventh chords are major chords with an added note. The added note is the seventh note of the matching major scale, lowered 1/2 step.

So a D flat 7 chord is: D♭ – F – A♭ – C♭

Minor seventh chords are minor chords with an added note. The added note is the seventh note of the matching major scale, lowered 1/2 step.

So a D flat minor 7 chord is: D♭ – F♭ – A♭ – C♭

Major seventh chords are major chords with an added note. The added note is the seventh note of the matching major scale.

So a D flat major 7 chord is: D♭ – F – A♭ – C

Other Chord Types

Some of the other chord types we can learn are:

Major
Minor
Augmented
Diminished
Second
Minor Second
Suspended
Fifth
Sixth
Minor Sixth
Seventh
Minor Seventh
Ninth
Minor Ninth
Major Ninth

Conclusion

Now you know how to play a D flat major 7 chord on the piano, and you can use this knowledge to build any other major seventh chord!

One of the great things about using chords at the piano is that they can be used for all styles of music. They also leave lots of room for creativity and expression. I hope you enjoy learning these new chord types and using them at the piano!