How to Play D Minor (Dm) on Guitar: The Open Shape, Dm7 and the Barre
D minor is the saddest-sounding of the open chords and one of the most useful. Here is the shape, two variations and how to make its high string ring.
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In this guide
To play D minor, put your middle finger on the G string at the 2nd fret, your ring finger on the B string at the 3rd fret and your index finger on the high e string at the 1st fret, then strum the top four strings, starting on the open D string. Low to high it is x x 0 2 3 1.
Dm is the minor version of the D chord, and it sounds noticeably darker. It turns up in songs in A minor, C major and F major, and it is usually the fourth or fifth chord a beginner learns, after Em, Am, E and D or C.
The open Dm shape
- Index finger on the high e string, 1st fret.
- Middle finger on the G string, 2nd fret.
- Ring finger on the B string, 3rd fret.
- Strum from the open D string. Do not play the low E or A strings.
The shape is a little triangle, and it is the reverse of D major: in D the high e string is the highest finger (2nd fret, F#); in Dm it is the lowest (1st fret, F). That single note is the whole difference between major and minor.
Making the high e ring
The index finger on the high e string is the one that dies most often. Two things fix it:
- Tip, not pad. Put the very tip of the index finger on the string, right behind the 1st fret wire.
- Keep the ring finger upright. The ring finger on the B string, 3rd fret, can lean onto the high e and mute it. Arch it so it comes down from above.
Strumming only four strings
Like D major, Dm starts on the 4th string. Hitting the open A string gives you an A in the bass, which is not wrong (A is in the chord) but sounds muddy; hitting the low E is a clash. Aim the first strum at the D string. With practice, your strumming hand learns where to start for each chord.
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Dm7: the easier, softer cousin
Dm7 (x x 0 2 1 1) lays the index finger across the B and high e strings at the 1st fret and puts the middle finger on the G string at the 2nd fret. It is a two-finger chord with a gentle, jazzy sound, and it is often easier than Dm for small hands. Use it in place of Dm in slower songs.
The Dm barre chord
For a fuller Dm with a low root, use the A-shape minor barre at the 5th fret: x 5 7 7 6 5. The index finger bars the A to high e strings at the 5th fret, and the other three fingers form an Am shape two frets higher.
It is harder: on the chord difficulty index the open Dm scores 29 out of 100 and the 5th-fret barre is in the hard range. Use the open shape until barre chords are comfortable.
Changes with Dm
| Change | Key | What helps |
|---|---|---|
| Am to Dm | A minor (i to iv) | Index and middle fingers move across to the next strings on the same frets; the ring finger travels furthest |
| Dm to G | C major (ii to V) | A big move; lead with the finger that plays the low G |
| C to Dm | C major (I to ii) | All three fingers move across to new strings on the same frets |
| Dm to E | A minor (iv to V) | The way back home to Am |
| Dm to F | F major | With the small F, the index and middle fingers stay down |
Each of these has its own page showing which fingers stay put and which move: Am to Dm, Dm to G, C to Dm, Dm to E and Dm to F.
Where you will use Dm
- A minor songs: Am, Dm and E (or E7) are the three main chords. Try Am – Dm – E – Am, four strums each.
- C major songs: C, Dm, G is a classic ii–V–I move toward C.
- D minor songs: Dm is home. See chords in the key of D minor.
Learn the minor family together in our minor chords guide, and hear the difference between major and minor in major vs minor chords.
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in D minor?
D, F and A. The open shape plays D, A, D and F on the top four strings, from the open D string up.
What is the difference between D and Dm on guitar?
Only the note on the high e string. D major has the 2nd fret there (F#); D minor has the 1st fret (F). Moving that one finger turns the chord from major to minor.
Why does my Dm chord buzz on the high e string?
The index finger on the 1st fret of the high e string is the weak point. Press with the tip, close to the fret, and make sure the ring finger on the B string is not leaning onto it.
What songs use D minor?
Dm is common in songs in A minor, C major and F major. In A minor it is the iv chord (Am, Dm, E), and in C major it is the ii chord that often leads to G.
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