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Dm7 chord on guitar

Dm7 (D minor seventh) is D, F, A and C. The easiest way to play it is the open Dm7 chord, written xx0211. Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 2nd and 1st strings at the 1st fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 2nd fret. Let the 4th string ring open. Don't play the 6th and 5th strings: strum from the 4th.

Dm7

D minor seventh · D F A C · 1 ♭3 5 ♭7

  • Open position

    Open chord

    211DACF

    xx0211

  • 5th fret

    Barre chord, root on the 5th string

    5fr13121DACFA

    x57565

  • 10th fret

    Barre chord, root on the 6th string

    10fr131111DACFAD

    10-12-10-10-10-10

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 Dm7

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

    xx0211
    • Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 2nd and 1st strings at the 1st fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 2nd 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

    x57565
    • 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.
    • Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

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

    10-12-10-10-10-10
    • 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.

Notes in the Dm7 chord

Dm7 is D, F, A and C, and it sounds mellow and smooth, the everyday chord of R&B, soul and lo-fi. From D, count 3 half steps up to F, 4 more to A and 3 more to C. Its formula is 1 ♭3 5 ♭7. 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 Dm7 piano chord page.

Chords that often come after Dm7

G7320001Dm7 to G7 is ii7 to V7, the first half of jazz’s ii–V–I.B♭maj7x13231Dm7 to B♭maj7 is i7 to VImaj7, the lift R&B and lo-fi loops are built on.Em7020000Dm7 to Em7 is ii7 to iii7, one step up in the same key.

More guitar chords

Other chords on D

DDmD7Dmaj7Dsus2Dsus4Dadd9D9D6DdimDm7♭5Ddim7Daug

Minor seventh chords on other notes

Cm7C♯m7E♭m7Em7Fm7F♯m7Gm7G♯m7Am7B♭m7Bm7

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

Frequently asked questions

How do you play Dm7 on guitar?

The easiest way to play it is the open Dm7 chord, written xx0211. Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 2nd and 1st strings at the 1st fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 2nd fret. Let the 4th string ring open. Don't play the 6th and 5th strings: strum from the 4th.

What notes are in the Dm7 chord?

Dm7 is D, F, A and C. In the shape written xx0211, the 4th to 1st strings play D, A, C and F.

Is Dm7 a barre chord?

It doesn't have to be: xx0211 needs no barre. The barre shapes (x57565, 10-12-10-10-10-10) play it higher up the neck and move to any root.

How many ways can you play Dm7 on guitar?

This page shows three: xx0211 (open position), x57565 (5th fret) and 10-12-10-10-10-10 (10th fret). Any chord can be played in more places up the neck; these are the ones chord books show first.

Can I make a beat with Dm7?

Yes. “Make a beat in D minor” opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in D minor on Dm B♭ F C, the key where Dm7 is the i7 chord. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account is needed to start.

Make a beat in D minor

Opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in D minor on Dm B♭ F C, the key where Dm7 is the i7 chord. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account needed to start.

Make a beat in D minorAll guitar chords

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