D minor chord (Dm)

Dm is D, F and A: 1–♭3–5 built on D. Here it is on guitar, piano and ukulele. Tap Play on any of them.

On guitar

x-x-0-2-3-1 · open · easy

root position · D–F–A · right hand 1-3-5

2-2-1-0 · open · easy

The moves below are the ones you'll meet most, shown for guitar and piano.

Dm → G (V in C major)
Guitar: Dm (x-x-0-2-3-1) to G (3-2-0-0-0-3): your index finger lands on the A string, 2nd fret, move the middle finger to the low E string, 3rd fret, the ring finger slides across to the high E string at the same fret. Nothing carries over, so drill it slowly, lifting and landing all fingers at once. Listen for D, which stays put while the rest moves.
Piano: Dm to G: play G in 2nd inversion (D–G–B) and D stays under the same finger, while F moves up to G and A up to B. G
Dm → F (IV in C major)
Guitar: Dm (x-x-0-2-3-1) to F (1-3-3-2-1-1): your middle finger stays put, the index finger lays across the low E to high E strings at the 1st fret, the ring finger goes to the A string, 3rd fret, the pinky finger comes down on the D string, 3rd fret. Shared notes: F and A.
Piano: Dm to F: play F in 2nd inversion (C–F–A) and F and A stay under the same fingers, while D moves down to C. F
Dm → C (I in C major)
Guitar: Dm (x-x-0-2-3-1) to C (x-3-2-0-1-0): the index finger slides across to the B string at the same fret, the middle finger slides across to the D string at the same fret, your ring finger lands on the A string, 3rd fret. Nothing carries over, so drill it slowly, lifting and landing all fingers at once.
Piano: Dm to C: play C in root position (C–E–G), while D moves down to C, F down to E and A down to G. C

Guitar with a capo: capo 5, Am shape. Ukulele with a capo: capo 2, Cm shape; capo 3, Bm shape; capo 5, Am shape.

Dm has the gentle, slightly melancholy sound of a minor chord. It is home base in D minor and a common guest in major keys.

Count keys (black and white) from D: 3 half steps up to F then 4 half steps up to A.

Note	Role	Half steps
D	root	0
F	minor third	3
A	perfect fifth	7

In major keys, Dm is ii in C major, iii in B♭ major and vi in F major. In minor keys it is i in D minor, iv in A minor and v in G minor.

Dm – B♭ – F – C: that's i–VI–III–VII in the key of D minor. the minor anthem

In D minor, i–iv–V is Dm – Gm – A – Dm. the minor cadence

i–VII–VI–V in D minor runs Dm – C – B♭ – A. the Andalusian cadence

Play i–VII–VI–VII in D minor and you get Dm – C – B♭ – C. the epic minor loop

Chords that share most of their notes with Dm: Dm7, Dm6, F6, B♭maj7, Bm7♭5, G9.

What notes are in the D minor chord?

D, F and A. Dm is built 1–♭3–5 from D: F is the minor third and A is the perfect fifth.

How do you play Dm on guitar?

The usual shape is x-x-0-2-3-1 (open). All 3 guitar shapes.

How do you play Dm on piano?

Play D, F and A with right-hand fingers 1-3-5. D sits between the two black keys. Inversions and left hand.

How do you play Dm on ukulele?

2-2-1-0 in standard GCEA tuning. More ukulele shapes.

What key is Dm in?

In major keys, Dm is ii in C major, iii in B♭ major and vi in F major. In minor keys it is i in D minor, iv in A minor and v in G minor.

What's the difference between Dm and D?

Dm and D differ by one note: F in Dm, F♯ in D. They share D and A.

All three instruments are drawn and played from D, F and A by the same engine. Updated September 2026.