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D minor chord on guitar

D minor is D, F and A. The easiest way to play it is the open Dm chord, written xx0231. Put your 1st finger (index) on the 1st string, 1st fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 2nd fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 2nd string, 3rd fret. Let the 4th string ring open. Don't play the 6th and 5th strings: strum from the 4th.

Dm

D minor · D F A · 1 ♭3 5

  • Open position

    Open chord

    231DADF

    xx0231

  • 5th fret

    Barre chord, root on the 5th string

    5fr13421DADFA

    x57765

  • 10th fret

    Barre chord, root on the 6th string

    10fr134111DADFAD

    10-12-12-10-10-10

Or pick another chord to see and hear it

Root
Chord

Dots show where each finger goes, numbered 1 (index) to 4 (little); the green ones are D, the root.

How to play D minor

Strings are counted from the thinnest: the 1st is the high E and the 6th the low E. Each shape is written as tab from the 6th string to the 1st, a number for the fret to press, 0 for an open string and x for one not played.

  1. 1. Open chord · Open position

    xx0231
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 1st string, 1st fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 2nd fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 2nd string, 3rd fret.
    • Let the 4th string ring open.
    • Don't play the 6th and 5th strings: strum from the 4th.

  2. 2. Barre chord, root on the 5th string · 5th fret

    x57765
    • Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 5th to 1st strings at the 5th fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 2nd string, 6th fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 7th fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 3rd string, 7th fret.
    • Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

  3. 3. Barre chord, root on the 6th string · 10th fret

    10-12-12-10-10-10
    • Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across all six strings at the 10th fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 5th string, 12th fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 4th string, 12th fret.

Notes in the D minor chord

D minor is D, F and A, and it sounds darker and softer than major, the sad or serious colour. From D, count 3 half steps up to F and 4 more to A. Its formula is 1 ♭3 5. The shapes above play these notes in different orders and octaves, some more than once, but always with D lowest. See its inversions and keys on the D minor piano chord page.

Chords that often come after Dm

B♭x13331Dm to B♭ is i to VI, the start of the classic minor loop i–VI–III–VII.Gmxx5333Dm to Gm is i to iv: darker and heavier, a ballad’s move.Cx32010Dm to C is i to VII, the step down that rock and film music lean on.

More guitar chords

Other chords on D

DD7Dmaj7Dm7Dsus2Dsus4Dadd9D9D6DdimDm7♭5Ddim7Daug

Minor chords on other notes

CmC♯mE♭mEmFmF♯mGmG♯mAmB♭mBm

Or see every chord at once on the guitar chord chart.

Frequently asked questions

How do you play D minor on guitar?

The easiest way to play it is the open Dm chord, written xx0231. Put your 1st finger (index) on the 1st string, 1st fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 2nd fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 2nd string, 3rd fret. Let the 4th string ring open. Don't play the 6th and 5th strings: strum from the 4th.

What notes are in the D minor chord?

D minor is D, F and A. In the shape written xx0231, the 4th to 1st strings play D, A, D and F.

Is Dm a barre chord?

It doesn't have to be: xx0231 needs no barre. The barre shapes (x57765, 10-12-12-10-10-10) play it higher up the neck and move to any root.

How many ways can you play Dm on guitar?

This page shows three: xx0231 (open position), x57765 (5th fret) and 10-12-12-10-10-10 (10th fret). Any chord can be played in more places up the neck; these are the ones chord books show first.

What is the difference between D and Dm on guitar?

One note, the third. D major is D F♯ A and D minor is D F A: F is a half step below F♯. In the barre shapes, that is one string's note moving down a fret.

Can I make a beat with D minor?

Yes. “Make a beat with this chord” opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in D minor on Dm B♭ F C, starting on Dm. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account is needed to start.

Make a beat with D minor

Opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in D minor on Dm B♭ F C, starting on Dm. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account needed to start.

Make a beat with this chordAll guitar chords

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