Dm Guitar Chord
D Minor · D–F–A
Dm is the D minor chord: D–F–A. Its sound is dark and emotional — the melancholic counterpart to major, built on the flat 3rd.
Dm is the relative minor of F major, so the two share every note and swap constantly in songs. You'll also find it as the ii chord in C major and the vi chord in F major — the emotional pivot of countless pop progressions.
The easiest way to play Dm is the open-position shape (x x 0 2 3 1, low E string to high E string), which uses open strings and stays in the first few frets. Below you'll find 8 ways to play it across the neck, from open position to barre and shell voicings, with the theory behind the chord and the progressions it lives in.
How to Play Dm: 8 Voicings
Frets are listed from the low E string to the high E string. x = don't play that string, 0 = open string.
Dm Chord Theory
| Interval | R | ♭3 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Note | D | F | A |
Dm is built from the D minor scale.
Dm Chord FAQ
What notes are in the Dm chord?
Dm contains 3 notes: D (R), F (♭3), A (5). The interval formula for a minor chord is R–♭3–5.
What is the easiest way to play Dm on guitar?
Use the open-position shape: x x 0 2 3 1 (frets listed from the low E string to the high E string, x = don't play that string). It uses open strings, so it needs the least finger strength.
What is the difference between Dm and D?
One note: the 3rd. D major uses the major 3rd (F#) while D minor flattens it to F. That half-step is the entire difference between the bright minor sound and the darker major sound.
What keys use the Dm chord?
Dm appears diatonically in F major (as vi), C major (as ii), and Bb major (as iii) — plus it's the home chord (i) of D minor.
Related Chords
Hear yourself play Dm
OpenFret listens to your real guitar through the microphone. Check your chords ring clean in the free Studio, or learn the fretboard by battling monsters in Guitar Quest — free in your browser, no signup needed.