Db/C on guitar: D flat with C in the bass
Db/C is Db with C in the bass. That C is the chord's 7th, so what you hear is Db7M in 3rd inversion (Db7M/C), with the notes D♭, F, A♭, C.
- Notes
- D♭FA♭C
- Bass
- C 7th of the chord · Db7M
How to play Db/C on guitar
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Shape 1 · fret 1
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Shape 2 · fret 3 · barre
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Shape 3 · fret 6 · barre
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Shape 4 · fret 9 · barre
Where Db/C shows up
The 7th in the bass wants to step down. The most common path: Db → Db/C → Bbm, with the bass walking down D♭, C, B♭.
Other positions of Db
Frequently asked questions
What does Db/C mean?
Db/C reads "Db over C": you play Db and the lowest note is C. In a chord symbol, whatever comes after the slash is always the bass.
What is the difference between Db/C and Db?
Db/C has one more note: C in the bass, which is the 7th. That is why it sounds like Db7M in 3rd inversion.
How do you play Db/C on guitar?
The shapes on this page go from easiest to hardest. In all of them C is the lowest note; the low strings that would sound below it are not played (x).