D Minor
Open PositionThe classic open Dm. Mute the low E and A strings, let the D string ring open, and place three fingers in a tight triangle on the upper strings.
D Minor
5th Fret (Am-shape Barre)Am-shape barre at the 5th fret — the same fingering as open Am, moved up five frets. A full five-string Dm voicing.
D Minor
10th Fret (Em-shape Barre)Full six-string Em-shape barre at the 10th fret. Rich and resonant — a powerful Dm voicing with the root on the low E string.
D Minor
5th Fret (Compact Triad)Compact three-note Dm triad on the top strings. Efficient and articulate — great for rhythm guitar and arpeggios in mid-register.
D Minor
7th Fret (4-String)Four-string voicing at the 7th position — a mid-neck Dm shape that blends well with other chord voicings in that register.
Tips for Playing the Dm Chord
Three-finger triangle shape
The open Dm uses a compact triangle of fingers on the top three fretted strings. Keep your fingers arched so all strings ring clearly, especially the open D string.
Mute the two bass strings
The low E and A strings are not part of the open Dm chord. Avoid hitting them when strumming, or use the side of your ring finger to lightly touch the A string for a natural mute.
Dm → F transition
Moving from Dm to F major, your index finger simply barres across the first two frets — the other fingers shift to form the F chord. Practicing this switch builds both chord shapes simultaneously.
Am-shape barre at 5th fret
The Am-shape barre at the 5th fret produces the same Dm chord. Building this shape gives you a fuller, root-in-bass voicing that works well in ensembles.
Dm is the vi in F major
Dm is the relative minor of F major — they share the same key signature. If you are comfortable with F major shapes and scales, those positions are equally relevant in D minor.
Common progressions
In the key of D minor: Dm → C → Bb → C is a classic minor rock/pop progression. Dm → Am → Bb → C is another widely used sequence. In F major, Dm functions as the vi chord alongside F, C, and Bb.
About the Dm Chord on Guitar
The D minor chord is built from three notes: D (the root), F (the minor 3rd), and A (the perfect 5th). Unlike many minor chords, Dm has a practical open-string voicing that makes it accessible to beginners. The compact triangle shape on the top strings is easy to learn and produces a full, resonant sound. Dm is the relative minor of F major and appears naturally in the keys of F major, C major, and Bb major. It is frequently used in rock, pop, folk, and classical music. This page covers five practical voicings: the classic open position, an Am-shape barre at the 5th fret, an Em-shape barre at the 10th fret, a compact top-string triad, and a four-string mid-neck voicing. Every diagram is interactive with real acoustic guitar sound.
- 015 Dm chord shapes from beginner to advanced
- 02Interactive diagrams — click Play to hear each chord
- 03Real acoustic guitar sound via audio engine
- 04Open position, Am-shape barre, Em-shape barre, and triad voicings
- 05Difficulty rating on every shape
- 06Free — no sign-up or download needed
ANATOMY
Chord Tones
The 3 notes that form the D Minor chord and their role in the major scale.
Every minor chord follows this same formula — root, minor third, perfect fifth.