Db chord (D flat major) on guitar
Db (D flat major) has three notes: D flat, F and A flat. Its formula is 1, 3, 5. In major keys, Db is the I chord in Db major, the IV in Ab major and the V in F# major.
Db chord shapes
Finger 1 barres fret 1, then 4 on A, 3 on D, 2 on B.
Finger 1 barres fret 4, then 3 on D, 3 on G, 3 on B.
Fingers: 3 on A, 2 on D, 1 on B, 4 on e.
Finger 1 barres fret 9, then 3 on A, 4 on D, 2 on G.
Finger 1 barres fret 6, then 4 on E, 3 on A.
Fingers: 2 on E, 1 on A, 4 on D, 3 on G.
Hear it and see every shape in ScaleSpace →
| Symbol | Db |
|---|---|
| Also written | Dbmaj, DbM |
| Notes | Db F Ab |
| Formula | 1 3 5 |
| Intervals | root, major third, perfect fifth |
| Type | Major chord |
Db across the neck
Guitar · 6-string, tuned low to high: E, A, D, G, B, e. 24 frets.
- E string: fret 1 F (3), fret 4 Ab (5), fret 9 Db (1), fret 13 F (3), fret 16 Ab (5), fret 21 Db (1).
- A string: fret 4 Db (1), fret 8 F (3), fret 11 Ab (5), fret 16 Db (1), fret 20 F (3), fret 23 Ab (5).
- D string: fret 3 F (3), fret 6 Ab (5), fret 11 Db (1), fret 15 F (3), fret 18 Ab (5), fret 23 Db (1).
- G string: fret 1 Ab (5), fret 6 Db (1), fret 10 F (3), fret 13 Ab (5), fret 18 Db (1), fret 22 F (3).
- B string: fret 2 Db (1), fret 6 F (3), fret 9 Ab (5), fret 14 Db (1), fret 18 F (3), fret 21 Ab (5).
- e string: fret 1 F (3), fret 4 Ab (5), fret 9 Db (1), fret 13 F (3), fret 16 Ab (5), fret 21 Db (1).
Swipe the chart sideways to see all of it.
Questions
What notes are in the Db chord?
Db (D flat major) has three notes: D flat, F and A flat. Its formula is 1, 3, 5. Db is the root, F is the major third and Ab is the perfect fifth.
How do you play Db on guitar?
The easiest shape is x43121. Finger 1 barres fret 1, then 4 on A, 3 on D, 2 on B.
What key is Db in?
In major keys, Db is the I chord in Db major, the IV in Ab major and the V in F# major. It is diatonic to those keys, so it fits songs in any of them.
What is the difference between Db and C#m?
Db has a major 3rd, F. C#m lowers it a half step to E, which is what makes it sound minor. The root and 5th stay the same.