D-sharp minor chord (D#m)
The D♯ minor chord (D♯m) 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 2 guitar voicings.
Frets from the 6th string to the 1st: x = not played, 0 = open string.
- Voicing 1: x-6-8-8-7-6, barre at fret 6, with D♯ in the bass (fingers x-1-3-4-2-1).
- Voicing 2: 11-13-13-11-11-11, movable E-shape barre chord at fret 11, 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♯ (2) · A♯ (6) · D♯ (11)
- String 5 (A): A♯ (1) · D♯ (6) · F♯ (9)
- String 4 (D): D♯ (1) · F♯ (4) · A♯ (8)
- String 3 (G): A♯ (3) · D♯ (8) · F♯ (11)
- String 2 (B): D♯ (4) · F♯ (7) · A♯ (11)
- String 1 (E): F♯ (2) · A♯ (6) · D♯ (11)
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): 3-3-2-1; it sounds A♯, D♯, F♯ and A♯.
D♯ minor on piano
- Keys: D♯4, F♯4 and A♯4.
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 (D♯m/F♯): F♯, A♯ and D♯, with F♯ in the bass.
- Second inversion (D♯m/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 |
|---|---|---|
| D♭ major (5 flats) | ii (written E♭m) | Supertonic |
| B major (5 sharps) | iii | Mediant |
| F♯ major (6 sharps) | vi | Submediant |
| D♯ minor (6 sharps) | i | Tonic |
| B♭ minor (5 flats) | iv (written E♭m) | Subdominant |
| G♯ minor (5 sharps) | v | Dominant |
Progressions with D♯ minor
- Pop progression in F♯ major (I–V–vi–IV): F♯ – C♯ – D♯m – B
- Pop progression starting on vi in F♯ major (vi–IV–I–V): D♯m – B – F♯ – C♯
- Turnaround in F♯ major (I–vi–ii–V): F♯ – D♯m – G♯m – C♯
- Minor cadence in D♯ minor (i–iv–V7): D♯m – G♯m – A♯7
- Minor pop progression in D♯ minor (i–VI–III–VII): D♯m – B – F♯ – C♯
D♯ minor or E♭ minor?
D♯ minor (D♯m) and E♭ minor (E♭m) are the same chord with two names: they sound the same and use the same frets.
The spelling depends on the key: it is written E♭ minor in flat keys and D♯ minor in sharp keys.
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.
Is E♭ minor the same chord as D♯ minor?
Yes: E♭ minor and D♯ minor sound the same and are played the same way. It is written E♭ minor in flat keys and D♯ minor in sharp 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.