D minor guitar chord
A tight, three-finger minor chord. Dm is the emotional center of many songs in C major and F major.
Play it
Two ways to finger Dm
Acoustic samples load on first play; a synth preview is used if they are still loading. Best with headphones.
Open Dm
Start here
Dm barre (5th fret)
Same chord, higher up the neck
Finger numbers are shown inside the dots. An X means “do not play this string”; an open circle means the string rings open. Audio uses acoustic guitar samples, with a synthesized fallback.
How to play Dm
D minor is a tight, three-finger chord with a darker color. It is the emotional center of many songs in C major and F major.
The open Dm shape uses the D, G, B, and high E strings. The low E and A strings are left out. The small shape makes Dm a good chord for learning finger independence.
Dm is the ii chord in C major and the vi chord in F major. It appears in the Dm–G–C–Am progression and in many songs that need a touch of melancholy.
Fingering steps
- Put your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the G string and your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the B string.
- Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the high E string.
- Strum from the D string down. Do not play the low E or A strings.
- Check that the high E is clear and the B string is not muted.
Why it sounds bad (and how to fix it)
The high E is muted
The ring finger on the B string often touches the high E. Curl it and keep the index finger upright.
The low E rings
Dm does not use the low E. Mute it or start your strum on the D string.
The shape feels cramped
Keep your fingers close to the frets and use the tips. Dm is small, but it needs precise placement.
Practice drill
- Practice Dm–G changes, keeping the ring finger near the 3rd fret.
- Play Dm–Am–G–C slowly and listen for the high E string.
Use it in a progression
- Dm – G – C – Am (ii–V–I–vi in C)
- Dm – Am – G – C
FAQ
Why is Dm harder than D major?
Dm uses a different finger pattern and the high E is fretted at the 1st fret, which can feel cramped at first.
What chords go with Dm?
G, C, Am, and F are common. The Dm–G–C–Am progression is a good starting point.
Can I play Dm without the high E?
You can omit the high E, but the chord sounds fuller with it. Try to include it once your fingers are comfortable.
This page uses standard chord voicings. If a fingering still buzzes, the problem is usually the hand position, not the diagram.