The D minor chord contains D – F – A (Root – Minor 3rd – Perfect 5th). Standard open position: xx0231. It appears in D minor (i), F major (III), C major (ii).
Character & Sound
Poignant and introspective — D minor is famously described as 'the saddest of all keys.' Its voicing closely mirrors D major but with a lowered third that immediately transforms the mood.
Rock, folk, classical. Dm is the iv chord in A minor and the ii chord in C major. The progression Am–Dm–E is one of the most common in flamenco and classical guitar.
The parallel chord is D major — same root, major 3rd instead of minor. Compare them side by side in the Chord Finder.
How to Play the D Minor Guitar Chord
Use the top four strings. Index finger on the 1st fret of the high E, ring on the 3rd fret of the B, middle on the 2nd fret of the G. The open D string rings as the root. Avoid strumming the A and low E strings.
Songs That Use Dm
- "The Sound of Silence" – Simon & Garfunkel
- "Mad World" – Gary Jules
- "Hurt" – Nine Inch Nails / Johnny Cash
- "All Along the Watchtower" – Bob Dylan
Explore Chord Voicings Interactively
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Open Chord Finder →Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the D minor chord?
The D minor chord contains D – F – A (root, minor 3rd, perfect 5th).
How do you play D minor on guitar?
xx0231 — index on 1st fret high E, ring on 3rd fret B, middle on 2nd fret G. Strum from the D string down.
What keys use the D minor chord?
Dm appears in D minor (i), C major (ii), F major (iii), and B♭ major (iv).
What is the difference between D major and D minor?
D major has F♯; D minor lowers it to F. That single semitone difference gives Dm its darker, more melancholic character.