D Dominant 7th Piano Chord
The Notes in a D Dominant Chord
The Root
You'll have no trouble finding the root of a D Dominant chord, because it's what gives a D Dominant chord it's name: It's the note D.
The 3rd
The third of a D Dominant chord is F#. The third is up four half-steps from the Root.
Finding F# from D step by step:
- Start on: D
- Step 1: move up to Eb
- Step 2: move up to E
- Step 3: move up to F
- Step 4: Land on F#
- Eb is a minor second above D.
- E is a major 2nd above D.
- F is a minor third above D.
- F# is a major third above D.
The Min 7th
The minor seventh of a D Dominant chord is C. The minor seventh is down two half-steps from the Root.
Finding C from D step by step:
- Start on: D
- Step 1: move down to C#
- Step 2: Land on C
- C# is a minor second below D.
- C is a major 2nd below D. The min 7th is down a major 2nd? Confusing, right? The note C is down 2 half-steps from D, but up 10 half-steps from D:
The Inversions of D Dominant
Root Position
1st Inversion
2nd Inversion
3rd Inversion
How to find D Dominant with my three-finger-method
This is the method taught in my book "How to Speed Read Piano Chord Symbols"
Step 1) Use the Fourth
Find the Root and the Fourth up from the Root. (See my tutorial on finding fourths).
Step 2) Move the right hand down
Move the root a whole-step down (two keys to the left on the piano) and the other note (the fourth) a half-step to the left (on key down on the piano).
How to Find 7th Chords with Nate's Three Finger Method
- Major 7th chords: bring both fingers down a half-step
- Minor 7th chords: bring both fingers down a whole-step
- Dominant 7th chords: bring the Root down a whole-step, the fourth down a half-step
- Diminished 7th chords: bring the Root down a minor third, the fourth down a whole-step
If you would like to learn more about my method, pick up "How to Speed Read Piano Chord Symbols".
