D Minor-Major Seventh Chord
Chord Tones: D Minor-Major Seventh Chord
Symbol: mMaj7, m△7 — Formula: 1-♭3-5-7
| Degree | Note | Frequency (A=440, Equal) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | D4 | 293.665 Hz |
| ♭3 | F4 | 349.228 Hz |
| 5 | A4 | 440.000 Hz |
| 7 | C♯4 | 277.183 Hz |
Chord Notation
| Notation Type | Symbol / Value |
|---|---|
| Lead Sheet Symbol | DmMaj7 |
| All Common Symbols | mMaj7, m△7 |
| Interval Formula | 1-♭3-5-7 |
| Harmonic Category | tense |
Roman numeral (e.g. I, IV, V) and Nashville Number notation are key-dependent. See Keys pages for chord function within specific keys.
Inversions
| Inversion | Notes (low to high) | Bass Note | Slash Notation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Root Position | D4 – F4 – A4 – C♯4 | D | D Minor-Major Seventh Chord |
| First Inversion | F4 – A4 – C♯4 – D4 | F | D Minor-Major Seventh Chord/F |
| Second Inversion | A4 – C♯4 – D4 – F4 | A | D Minor-Major Seventh Chord/A |
| Third Inversion | C♯4 – D4 – F4 – A4 | C♯ | D Minor-Major Seventh Chord/C♯ |
Harmonic Function
The D minor major seventh chord commonly functions as the supertonic (ii) in C major or dominant (V) in G major. Its harmonic role varies by key — in major keys it provides subdominant or supertonic color.
The minor-major seventh chord combines a minor triad with a major seventh, creating a uniquely tense sound. It appears in descending bass lines and is characteristic of film noir and jazz. The D Minor-Major Seventh Chord specifically contains 4 notes: D, F, A, C♯ (formula: 1-♭3-5-7). On guitar, D-rooted chords use the open D string as their bass note, and the compact open-D shape is one of the most recognizable chord voicings. Rock anthems and folk songs frequently center on D chords, which provide a bright, cutting tone that projects well in ensemble settings.
Common Progressions
The D Minor-Major Seventh Chord frequently appears in these progression patterns (shown in Roman numeral notation relative to key):
Songs Featuring the Minor-Major Seventh Chord
Well-known songs where the D Minor-Major Seventh Chord — or this chord type — plays a prominent role:
- Cry Me a River – Julie London
- James Bond Theme – John Barry
- Willow Weep for Me – jazz standard
Tuning Frequencies Across Temperaments
Frequencies shown at A=440 Hz. View full temperament data for any note.
| Note | Equal Temp. | Pythagorean | Just Intonation |
|---|---|---|---|
| D4 | 293.665 Hz | 293.332 Hz | 294.329 Hz |
| F4 | 349.228 Hz | 347.654 Hz | 348.834 Hz |
| A4 | 440.000 Hz | 440.000 Hz | 436.043 Hz |
| C♯4 | 277.183 Hz | 278.437 Hz | 279.067 Hz |
Scales Containing the D Minor-Major Seventh Chord
These scales include the D Minor-Major Seventh Chord as a diatonic or characteristic chord: