D Minor Circle (Dm)
i - VI - iv - V7 progression in D minor with Bb major and A7
D minor places finger 2 on fret 2 of string 4, finger 3 on fret 2 of string 3, and finger 1 on fret 1 of string 2 leaving string 1 open. Moving to Bb major lay finger 1 across fret 1 of strings 1 and 2, adding fingers 2 and 3 on frets 2 and 3 of strings 3 and 4. For G minor finger 1 holds fret 1 of string 1 while fingers 2 and 3 cover frets 2 and 3. For A7 place finger 1 on fret 1 of string 3 with the rest open.
How the chords connect in D minor
The progression
Dm, Bb, Gm and A7 make up the D minor circle, as degrees i, VI, iv and V7. At 90 beats per minute, each bar of 4/4 lasts about 2.7 seconds and the whole round about 10.7.
The notes of each chord
Dm holds D, F and A. In Bb you hear Bb, D and F. Gm holds G, Bb and D. In A7 you hear A, C#, E and G.
From one chord to the next
Dm and Bb keep D and F in common. Also, two hand positions stay put. From Bb to Gm, Bb and D stay, and two hand positions stay put. Gm and A7 share G, though the hand changes shape.
Back to the start
Going back from A7 to Dm, C# rises a semitone to D and G falls a whole tone to F. The two chords share A.
The hand
Dm presses three positions and leaves string 1 open. Bb takes a barre at fret 1. Gm presses three positions and leaves string 4 open. A7 rings with three strings open and one fretted position. The highest fret in the circle is fret 3, in Bb. Bb uses a barre.
Key map: Dm
- Key signature
- 1 flat
- Scale notes
- D – E – F – G – A – Bb – C
The 7 chords of the key
- iDm
- ii°Edim
- IIIF
- ivGm
- VA
- VIBb
- VIIC
In minor, V is major thanks to the leading tone (raised 7th degree).
- Relative key
- F
D Minor Circle (Dm) circle for ukulele
Dm 2210 · Bb 3211 · Gm 0231 · A7 0100
Show ukulele tab and notation
Questions about this ukulele circle
How do you connect D minor and B flat major smoothly on ukulele?
Roll finger 1 slightly downward from fret 1 of string 2 to bar string 1 as well, landing the B flat barre without jumping.
Why does A7 resolve so sweetly into D minor?
Because the leading tone C sharp on string 3 rises a half step to the root D, creating a warm and conclusive arrival.
Which playing style brings out the best in D minor?
A 4-string fingerpicking arpeggio at 90 BPM lets you appreciate open string resonance blended with fretted notes.