D minor chord (Dm)
The D minor chord (Dm) is a minor triad made of D, F and A: root, minor third and perfect fifth.
It is the i in D minor and the vi in F major; its relative major is F major, and A dominant seventh leads into it as its V7.
Below: voicings, notes on the fretboard, ukulele, piano, inversions and progressions.
How to play D minor on guitar
There are 3 guitar voicings.
Frets from the 6th string to the 1st: x = not played, 0 = open string.
- Voicing 1: x-x-0-2-3-1, open position, with D in the bass (fingers x-x-0-2-3-1).
- Voicing 2: x-5-7-7-6-5, barre at fret 5, with D in the bass (fingers x-1-3-4-2-1).
- Voicing 3: 10-12-12-10-10-10, movable E-shape barre chord at fret 10, with D in the bass.
Notes of the D minor chord on the fretboard
D minor has 3 notes: D, F and A. This is where they fall on each string, from the nut to the 12th fret (fret number in parentheses):
- String 6 (E): F (1) · A (5) · D (10)
- String 5 (A): A (0) · D (5) · F (8) · A (12)
- String 4 (D): D (0) · F (3) · A (7) · D (12)
- String 3 (G): A (2) · D (7) · F (10)
- String 2 (B): D (3) · F (6) · A (10)
- String 1 (E): F (1) · A (5) · D (10)
Formula and intervals of D minor
Its formula is 1-♭3-5; in semitones from the root, 0-3-7.
- D: Root, the note that gives the chord its name
- F: Minor third (m3), 3 semitones above D
- A: Perfect fifth (P5), 7 semitones above D
D minor on ukulele
- Ukulele (G C E A): 2-2-1-0; it sounds A, D, F and A.
D minor on piano
- Keys: D4, F4 and A4.
Inversions of D minor
Each inversion puts a different note in the bass.
- Root position: D, F and A, with D in the bass.
- First inversion (Dm/F): F, A and D, with F in the bass.
- Second inversion (Dm/A): A, D and F, with A in the bass.
Keys that use D minor
D minor appears in 6 major and minor keys.
| Key | Degree | Function |
|---|---|---|
| C major (no sharps or flats) | ii | Supertonic |
| B♭ major (2 flats) | iii | Mediant |
| F major (1 flat) | vi | Submediant |
| D minor (1 flat) | i | Tonic |
| A minor (no sharps or flats) | iv | Subdominant |
| G minor (2 flats) | v | Dominant |
Progressions with D minor
- Pop progression in F major (I–V–vi–IV): F – C – Dm – B♭
- Pop progression starting on vi in F major (vi–IV–I–V): Dm – B♭ – F – C
- Turnaround in F major (I–vi–ii–V): F – Dm – Gm – C
- Minor cadence in D minor (i–iv–V7): Dm – Gm – A7
- Minor pop progression in D minor (i–VI–III–VII): Dm – B♭ – F – C
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the D minor chord?
D, F and A: root, minor third and perfect fifth. Its formula is 1-♭3-5.
Which keys use D minor?
Mainly as the i in D minor and the vi in F major. In total it appears in 6 major and minor keys.
What is the relative major of D minor?
F major. D minor and F major are the tonic chords of two relative keys, which share the same key signature and the same scale notes.