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Dm7 Guitar Chord

Dm7 guitar chord: see the fingering, compare positions, and hear it before you play.

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Shape 1/2
Chord shapes:(2 positions)
Dm7Guitar fingering diagram for Dm71234××211STRING6ª×5ª×4ªD3ªA2ªC1ªF
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What sets Dm7 apart

Dm7 is built from D, F, A and C. D is the root, F the minor third, A the fifth and C the minor seventh.

String by string, low to high, it plays D, A, C and F. It runs from D on string 4 up to F on string 1.

In Dm7, only one string rings open, string 4, which gives D. Strings 6 and 5 stay silent. Your hand covers two frets, from 1 to 2. There is one more position, starting at fret 5.

Change only string 2 in Dm7 and you have Dm. Inside Dm7 sits a complete F chord, made of F, A and C. F shares three positions with this shape.

You will find Dm7 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

Explore recommended harmonic circles on CifraLab:

01Dm Dm - Bb - Gm - A702C C - Am - Dm - G703F F - Dm - Gm - C704Am Am - F - Dm - E7
Music Theory & Formula

Component notes and harmonic structure (Dm7)

Formula: Minor Seventh (1 - ♭3 - 5 - ♭7)
Constituent chord intervals:

D 1F ♭3A 5C ♭7

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 Dm7:

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 1Finger 1
CDegree ♭7
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 1 with your Index 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 5Barre
CDegree ♭7
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, 2nd String (B) at fret 6. Don't play: 6th String (Low E).

Biomechanics & Posture

Ergonomic tips to play without tension or fatigue (Dm7)

Standard Position

The shape in numbers

ItemIn this chord
Frets1 to 2
Fretting fingers2
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 Dm7

Listen: Dm7 → F · Dm · C

  1. Dm7
  2. F
  3. Dm7
  4. Dm
  5. Dm7
  6. C
Dm7 → F01
Pivot / Anchor Finger:3 shared positions
Stay in place
  • string 3, fret 2
  • string 2, fret 1
  • string 1, fret 1
Move
  • string 6, fret 1
  • string 5, fret 3
  • string 4, fret 3
Dm7 → Dm02
Pivot / Anchor Finger:2 fingers stay
Stay in place
  • finger 2: string 3, fret 2
  • finger 1: string 1, fret 1
Move
  • finger 3: string 2, fret 3
Dm7 → C03
Pivot / Anchor Finger:1 finger stays
Stay in place
  • finger 1: string 2, fret 1
Move
  • finger 3: string 5, fret 3
  • finger 2: string 4, fret 2

Dm7 in every key

Dm7 sits in the scale of 5 keys.

Main shape at a glance

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

Dm7 on other instruments

PianoThe same notes on the keyboard.UkuleleDm7 on four strings, with sound.BassDm7 as a low-register arpeggio.All togetherHear guitar, piano, bass and violin together.
Songs with this chord

Famous songs featuring this chord (Dm7)

Well-known songs where this chord plays a clear role

01"So What"Miles Davis • 1959Holds the A sections in Dorian mode (Dm7 - Ebm7).
Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions about the chord (Dm7)

The questions that come up most when playing this chord

Which strings are played and which are muted in the Dm7 chord?

To play the Dm7 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 Dm7 chord and on which string is it located?

The primary bass note of the Dm7 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 Dm7 chord and what is its formula?

The Dm7 chord is constructed using the 1 - ♭3 - 5 - ♭7 formula (Minor Seventh). Its constituent pitches are D, F, A, C.

How do you prevent the Dm7 chord from buzzing or sounding muted?

To prevent the Dm7 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 Dm7 chord?

"So What" (Miles Davis, 1959). Holds the A sections in Dorian mode (Dm7 - Ebm7).

Study sheet · High resolution

Official Dm7 chord diagram

Dm7 guitar chord diagram with fingering for fingers 1 to 4
Download HD sheet

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Other chords in the D family:

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