The Db7 chord contains D♭, F, A♭ and C♭. Also written D♭7, this D-flat dominant seventh combines a major triad with a minor seventh. Find the four notes on the keyboard, then compare their inversions.
Build the Db7 chord with degrees 1–3–5–♭7. D♭–F–A♭ forms the major triad; C♭ supplies the minor seventh, ten semitones above D♭. C♭5 sounds on the B4 key, so the written octave number differs from that key’s B label.
This spelling includes C♭. Preserve the theoretical written spelling even when an enharmonic name shares the same piano key.
Choose a position to keep the four written notes, sounding keys, bass note, playback and print reference synchronized.
Build the Db7 chord in the exercise by choosing D♭, F, A♭ and B: the B key represents C♭. This exercise checks pitch classes, so it accepts that sounding key without changing the theoretical spelling in the reference.
D♭7 uses 1–3–5–♭7: D♭–F–A♭–C♭.
a major triad plus a minor seventh
Compared with D♭ major, add the minor seventh above the root.
A seventh chord has four chord tones and therefore four positions: root position plus three inversions. The slash symbol identifies the written bass note.
| Position | Symbol | Notes, low to high | Bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Root position, current selection | D♭7 | D♭4–F4–A♭4–C♭5 | D♭4 |
| First inversion | D♭7/F | F4–A♭4–C♭5–D♭5 | F4 |
| Second inversion | D♭7/A♭ | A♭4–C♭5–D♭5–F5 | A♭4 |
| Third inversion | D♭7/C♭ | C♭5–D♭5–F5–A♭5 | C♭5 |
The Db7 chord diagrams identify pitches and their order, without prescribing finger numbers. Inversions change the lowest note while preserving D♭, F, A♭ and C♭. Read the written bass label before choosing a position that is comfortable for your hand.
Use the written notes, keyboard positions and playback without treating the diagram as a required hand shape.
Read left- and right-hand finger numbersOpen Music Theory
Supports: Dominant Seventh chord construction, written spelling and inversion principles
Scope: Supports theory and spelling only; keyboard layouts are PianoGrid examples, and no fingering is assigned.
D♭, F, A♭ and C♭. Use the formula 1–3–5–♭7: root, major third, perfect fifth and minor seventh.
A Db7 chord needs a seventh with the letter C. C♭ is a minor seventh above D♭, while B names the same piano key using a different written interval.
No. The Db7 chord uses C♭; D♭maj7 uses C natural. Their D♭, F and A♭ chord tones stay the same, so compare the seventh carefully.
Three, in addition to root position. Put F, A♭ or C♭ lowest to obtain the first, second or third inversion. Each position above includes all four notes.
Select the four pitch classes that make D♭7, then check your answer.
This one-octave exercise checks the exact four-note pitch-class set. Order and inversion do not affect the result; missing and extra notes are reported, while fingering and live performance are not assessed.
One octave, C through B. Select a key again to remove it.
Chord tones: D♭–F–A♭–C♭ · Formula: 1, 3, 5, ♭7
Dots mark the notes to play. C4 is middle C. Numbers identify octaves, not fingers.