D♭m7 Chord
Minor 7th chords blend the darkness of a minor triad with the smooth harmonic richness of a 7th. They have a soulful, floating quality that anchors modern R&B, neo-soul, and jazz. They are never as tense as a dominant 7th — instead they feel settled but colourful.
Notes in D♭m7
The D♭m7 minor 7th chord contains C♯ — E — A♭ — B. It is built from the following intervals above the root:
| Degree | Interval name | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Root | C♯ |
| ♭3 | Minor third | E |
| 5 | Perfect fifth | A♭ |
| ♭7 | Minor seventh | B |
Interval formula: root (1) — minor third (♭3) — perfect fifth (5) — minor seventh (♭7) (0, 3, 7, 10 semitones).
Sound and Character
Minor 7th chords blend the darkness of a minor triad with the smooth harmonic richness of a 7th. They have a soulful, floating quality that anchors modern R&B, neo-soul, and jazz. They are never as tense as a dominant 7th — instead they feel settled but colourful. D♭m7 extends D♭ minor by adding the minor 7th (B). The result is smoother and more harmonically sophisticated than the bare minor triad, without the tension of a dominant chord.
Key Function
D♭m7 functions as iim7 in Db major, im7 in D♭ minor, or vim7 in Db contexts. The iim7 chord in major keys — the starting point of the classic ii–V–I jazz cadence. Also appears as im7 in minor key jazz and as the iiim7 or vim7 chord in major keys.
Famous Songs Featuring D♭m7
- "Soul ballads in Db"
- Jazz standards in Db/C#
Voicing Tips
Minor 7th chords are among the most versatile in jazz. The Dm7 voicing (D–F–A–C) and Am7 voicing (A–C–E–G) are essential shapes to know on piano. On guitar, barre chord shapes with the 7th on top create a sophisticated, open sound. Open the MusoKit chord finder to see D♭m7 on piano, guitar, and ukulele with audio playback — compare voicings across instruments to find the one that fits your playing style.
FAQs
What notes are in the D♭m7 chord?
The D♭m7 minor 7th chord contains: C♯ — E — A♭ — B. The intervals are root (1) — minor third (♭3) — perfect fifth (5) — minor seventh (♭7).
What key is the D♭m7 chord in?
D♭m7 functions as iim7 in Db major, im7 in D♭ minor, or vim7 in Db contexts.
How do you play D♭m7 on guitar?
Open the chord finder to see common guitar voicings for D♭m7. D♭m7 is available in multiple positions — the chord finder shows the most practical shapes for each instrument.
What is the difference between D♭ major and D♭m7?
D♭m7 extends D♭ minor by adding the minor 7th (B). The result is smoother and more harmonically sophisticated than the bare minor triad, without the tension of a dominant chord.
What chords go well with D♭m7?
Chords from the same key sound most natural alongside D♭m7. Use the scale explorer to explore the full set of diatonic chords in the keys where D♭m7 appears, and the circle of fifths to find harmonically adjacent chords.