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D minor (Dm) on guitar

The D minor scale consists of the notes D – E – F – G – A – B♭ – C and has 1 flat. Below you can see every usable note on the neck up to fret 15.

D minorNatural minor scale

♪ Click a note on the fretboard to hear its sound.

E
B
G
D
A
E
0123•45•67•89•101112••131415•
Root noteOther notes
Click a note to hear it · frets 0–15

Chords in D minor

Common progression: Dm – B♭ – F – C (i–VI–III–VII).

Quick overview

Root note
D
Mode
minor
Key signature
1 flat
Pentatonic
D F G A C
Relative key
F major

Well-known songs in D minor

  • Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2)Pink Floyd
  • Black Magic WomanSantana
  • Come TogetherThe Beatles
  • LaylaDerek and the Dominos
  • Set Fire to the RainAdele
  • Sultans of SwingDire Straits
  • Uptown FunkMark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
  • Walking on the MoonThe Police

Key of the original recording; live versions or covers may differ.

CAGED positions

With the CAGED system you play Dm in five positions across the whole neck. Each shape connects to the next.

  • Dm shapearound fret 0 · root on D string, fret 0
  • Cm shapearound fret 2 · root on A string, fret 5
  • Am shapearound fret 5 · root on A string, fret 5
  • Gm shapearound fret 7 · root on low E string, fret 10
  • Em shapearound fret 10 · root on low E string, fret 10

Learn D minor in 5 steps

  1. Step 1

    Find the root note D

    Find D on the low E string (fret 10) and on the A string (fret 5). Play them alternately and say the name out loud. Every pattern below hangs off these two points.

  2. Step 2

    Play the main chords

    Learn the three most important chords: Dm (i), Gm (iv) and Am (v). Switch between them at a slow tempo until you can play through without stopping.

  3. Step 3

    Learn the pentatonic in box 1

    The minor pentatonic (D F G A C) is the first pattern to learn. Put your index finger around fret 10 and play two notes per string, from the low E to the high e and back.

  4. Step 4

    Extend to the full scale

    Add the two missing notes (E and B♭) in the same position. Now you're playing all seven notes of D mineur: D E F G A B♭ C.

  5. Step 5

    Improvise over a chord progression

    Record Dm – B♭ – C – Dm (or ask someone to play it) and solo over it using box 1. End your phrases on D and listen to how that "coming home" sounds.

Playing D minor with a capo

Go to the capo guide

Solo tips for D minor

  1. Start with the minor pentatonic scale (D F G A C). The best-known "box" pattern starts on the root D on the low E string, fret 10.
  2. End your phrases on the root D for a resolved feeling, or on the third F and fifth A for tension.
  3. Add the blue note A♭ as a passing note for a bluesy sound — don't linger on it too long.
  4. Over the Am chord (the v) deliberately play the notes of that chord to make the chord changes audible.
  5. Want a more classical, "Spanish" sound? Raise the 7th degree to C♯ (harmonic minor), especially over the V chord.

Frequently asked questions about D minor

Which notes are in D mineur?

D mineur (Dm) consists of the notes D, E, F, G, A, B♭, C. The key signature has 1 flat.

Which chords fit D mineur?

The diatonic chords in D mineur are Dm, Edim, F, Gm, Am, B♭, C. You can freely combine them; they all sound good within the key.

What is the relative key of D mineur?

The relative key is F major. It uses exactly the same notes and key signature, just with a different tonal centre.

Which pentatonic scale do you use in D mineur?

Use the minor pentatonic scale: D, F, G, A, C. It avoids the "tricky" half-step intervals and almost always sounds good.

How do I find D on the guitar neck?

You'll find the root D on the low E string at fret 10 and on the A string at fret 5, among other places.