Scale degrees · D major
The 7 of D is C♯
The 7 (seven) of D is C♯ (C sharp): a major seventh above the root.
D — the root, 1C♯ — the 7
How to find it
Count letters first, the root included: D, E, F, G, A, B, C. A 7th lands on C.
Then the sound: a major seventh is 11 semitones above D, and the C that is 11 semitones up is C♯.
That is why it is C♯ and not D♭: D♭ is the same key on the piano, but from D it would be an unison, not a 7th.
Where you meet it
The 7 is a half step below the root: the major seventh, the 7th of the maj7 chord and the leading tone of the key.
In Dmaj7:
D · F♯ · A · C♯
The 7 in every key
| Key | The 7 |
|---|---|
| C | B |
| G | F♯ |
| D | C♯ |
| A | G♯ |
| E | D♯ |
| B | A♯ |
| F♯ | E♯ |
| D♭ | C |
| A♭ | G |
| E♭ | D |
| B♭ | A |
| F | E |
Every degree of D
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