CifraLab

Dm Guitar Chord

Dm guitar chord: see the fingering, compare positions, and hear it before you play.

Back to Chord Dictionary
Shape 1/2
Chord shapes:(2 positions)
DmGuitar fingering diagram for Dm1234××231STRING6ª×5ª×4ªD3ªA2ªD1ªF
View HD sheet

What sets Dm apart

Play Dm one string at a time and you hear D, F and A. D is the root, F the minor third and A the fifth.

From the low string to the high one you hear D, A, D and F. The root, D, shows up twice in the main shape. The lowest note is D on string 4 and the highest is F on string 1.

In Dm, string 4 is played open and adds D. Strings 6 and 5 are not played. Everything fits between frets 1 and 3. The second shape on this page starts at fret 5.

D is one change away. String 1 moves from fret 1 to fret 2, bringing in F#, the major third of D. It shares two notes with F, F and A. Going to Bb, two positions stay the same.

You will find Dm in five different keys. In F major it is the vi, in C major the ii and in Bb major the iii. The rest appear in the key list. Further down there is a song that uses it.

Chord Progressions

Harmonic circles featuring the Dm chord:

01C C - Am - Dm - G702F F - Dm - Gm - C703Am Am - F - Dm - E704Dm Dm - Bb - Gm - A7
Music Theory & Formula

Component notes and harmonic structure (Dm)

Formula: Minor Triad (1 - ♭3 - 5)
Constituent chord intervals:

D 1F ♭3A 5

Root Bass (Fundamental String)4th String (D) • Fret 0 (D)

String Control (Muted & Active)4 / 6 • 2 X Muted

2 Fretboard Positions

Other fretboard positions for Dm:

01

Standard

Standard Position
4 / 6 stringsRoot: 4th String (D)
String Control (Muted & Active):
6th String (Low E)
×Muted
Do not play
5th String (A)
×Muted
Do not play
Root
4th String (D)
○Open
DDegree 1
3rd String (G)
Fret 2Finger 2
ADegree 5
2nd String (B)
Fret 3Finger 3
DDegree 1
1st String (High E)
Fret 1Finger 1
FDegree ♭3

Placement tip: Press: 3rd String (G) at fret 2 with your Middle finger, 2nd String (B) at fret 3 with your Ring finger, 1st String (High E) at fret 1 with your Index finger. Play open: 4th String (D). Don't play: 6th String (Low E), 5th String (A).

02

Barre 5

Barre fret 5
5 / 6 stringsRoot: 5th String (A)
String Control (Muted & Active):
6th String (Low E)
×Muted
Do not play
Root
5th String (A)
Fret 5Barre
DDegree 1
4th String (D)
Fret 7
ADegree 5
3rd String (G)
Fret 7
DDegree 1
2nd String (B)
Fret 6
FDegree ♭3
1st String (High E)
Fret 5Barre
ADegree 5

Placement tip: Barre fret 5. Press: 4th String (D) at fret 7, 3rd String (G) at fret 7, 2nd String (B) at fret 6. Don't play: 6th String (Low E).

Biomechanics & Posture

Ergonomic tips to play without tension or fatigue (Dm)

Standard Position
Key Principle:

Finger 1 on fret 1 (string 1), finger 2 on fret 2 (string 3), finger 3 on fret 3 (string 2).

Thumb Placement: Lower on the neck back to allow finger 3 to comfortably reach fret 3 on string 2.

Most Common Beginner Mistake:

Allowing finger 3 to mute the high F note on string 1, or accidentally striking the 5th and 6th bass strings.

Immediate Solution: Fret only fingers 1 and 3 first and pick both strings together. Once clean, add finger 2 on string 3 without changing your wrist tilt.

The shape in numbers

ItemIn this chord
Frets1 to 3
Fretting fingers3
Open4th
Muted6th and 5th

What to check

The open 4th string sits next to a fretting finger.

What every chord shares is in the fingering reading.

Transitions & Pivot Fingers

Most common chord transitions from Dm

Listen: Dm → Bb · F · A

  1. Dm
  2. Bb
  3. Dm
  4. F
  5. Dm
  6. A
Dm → Bb01
Pivot / Anchor Finger:2 shared positions
Stay in place
  • string 2, fret 3
  • string 1, fret 1
Move
  • string 5, fret 1
  • string 4, fret 3
  • string 3, fret 3
Dm → F02
Pivot / Anchor Finger:2 shared positions
Stay in place
  • string 3, fret 2
  • string 1, fret 1
Move
  • string 6, fret 1
  • string 5, fret 3
  • string 4, fret 3
  • string 2, fret 1
Dm → A03
Pivot / Anchor Finger:1 finger stays
Stay in place
  • finger 2: string 3, fret 2
Move
  • finger 1: string 4, fret 2
  • finger 3: string 2, fret 2

Dm in every key

Dm sits in the scale of 5 keys.

Main shape at a glance

Difficulty
2/5
Highest fret
3
Frets the hand covers
3
Barre
No
Strings that ring
4/6
Fretting fingers
3

Dm on other instruments

PianoThe same notes on the keyboard.UkuleleDm on four strings, with sound.BassDm as a low-register arpeggio.All togetherHear guitar, piano, bass and violin together.
Songs with this chord

Famous songs featuring this chord (Dm)

Well-known songs where this chord plays a clear role

01"Sultans of Swing"Dire Straits • 1978Opens the verse (Dm - C - Bb - A).
Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions about the chord (Dm)

The questions that come up most when playing this chord

Which strings are played and which are muted in the Dm chord?

To play the Dm chord on guitar, only 4 strings are played, from string 4 to string 1. Muted strings must be gently dampened with the fleshy side of a fretting finger to prevent dissonance.

What is the root bass note of the Dm chord and on which string is it located?

The primary bass note of the Dm chord is its root note: D. In standard guitar tuning (EADGBe), this bass note is located on string 4 at fret 0.

When strumming or fingerpicking, strike this string first.

What notes make up the Dm chord and what is its formula?

The Dm chord is constructed using the 1 - ♭3 - 5 formula (Minor Triad). Its constituent pitches are D, F, A.

How do you prevent the Dm chord from buzzing or sounding muted?

To prevent the Dm chord from buzzing or sounding muted, press the strings using the tips of your fingers at a strict 90-degree hammer angle. Position each finger immediately behind the fret wire with your thumb centered behind the neck.

What famous songs use the Dm chord?

"Sultans of Swing" (Dire Straits, 1978). Opens the verse (Dm - C - Bb - A).

Study sheet · High resolution

Official Dm chord diagram

Dm guitar chord diagram with fingering for fingers 1 to 4
Download HD sheetView circle (C)→

Thanks for studying with CifraLab

If this chord helped you, support us with a coffee on Ko-fi.

Buy a coffee

Other chords in the D family:

Chord D Chord Db Chord D7 Chord Db7 Chord Dmaj7 Chord Dbmaj7 Chord Dm7 Chord Dsus2