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D minor seventh chord (Dm7)

D minor seventh is a 4-note minor seventh chord: D – F – A – C. It sounds relaxed, warm and a little melancholic. Here it is on guitar, piano and ukulele, with fingering and audio.

  • NotesD – F – A – C
  • Formula1 – ♭3 – 5 – ♭7
  • SymbolDm7 · Dmin7 · D-7
  • TypeMinor seventh chord

D minor seventh on guitar

  • ××211DACF
    Open position
  • 5×13121DACFA
    Barre at fret 5 (A shape)
  • 10131111DACFAD
    Barre at fret 10 (E shape)

How to place your fingers (open position)

  1. Finger 2 (middle) on fret 2 of the 3rd string (G).
  2. Place finger 1 (index) at fret 1 on string 2 (B).
  3. Place finger 1 (index) at fret 1 on the 1st string (E).
  4. Play the 4th string open.
  5. Don't play the 6th or 5th strings: strum from the 4th string.

The numbers inside the dots are the fingers of your left hand: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring and 4 pinky. The colored dots mark the root (D). The other positions let you change chords without jumping along the neck, or give you a higher-pitched sound.

D minor seventh on piano

DFAC

In root position, play D – F – A – C from bottom to top with fingers 1, 2, 3 and 5 of your right hand. With your left hand you usually play just the root (D) or the root and the fifth.

Inversions

  • First inversion: F – A – C – D
  • Second inversion: A – C – D – F
  • Third inversion: C – D – F – A

D minor seventh on ukulele

  • ADFC
    From fret 1
  • 5CFAD
    From fret 5

Standard tuning G – C – E – A (the G string is the high one). Is your ukulele in tune? Use the ukulele tuner.

Notes and intervals of D minor seventh

  • D1 · root
  • F♭3 · minor third
  • A5 · perfect fifth
  • C♭7 · minor seventh

It's the second degree of the jazz ii–V–I progression and shows up in salsa, funk, neo soul and pop.

Progressions with Dm7

The ii–V–I: ii7 – V7 – Imaj7

Dm7 is the second degree of C major.

Two-chord vamp: i7 – IV7

A typical funk, soul and salsa groove.

Which keys contain D minor seventh?

Dm7 belongs to 6 keys: in each one it plays a different role depending on the degree (the Roman numeral).

KeyDegree
C majorii7
F majorvi7
B♭ majoriii7
D natural minori7
G natural minorv7
A natural minoriv7

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the D minor seventh chord?

D minor seventh (Dm7) has 4 notes: D (root), F (minor third), A (perfect fifth), C (minor seventh).

How do you play D minor seventh on guitar?

The easiest shape is in open position: x x 0 2 1 1 (from the 6th to the 1st string). Finger 2 (middle) on fret 2 of the 3rd string (G). Finger 1 (index) on fret 1 of the 2nd string (B). Finger 1 (index) on fret 1 of the 1st string (E). The 4th string rings open. Do not play the 6th and 5th strings: strum from the 4th.

How do you write D minor seventh as a chord symbol?

It is written Dm7; you may also see Dmin7 or D-7. Chord symbols use letter names for notes: C, D, E, F, G, A and B.

Want to play whole songs?

A teacher shows you how to change chords smoothly, strum and play along to your favorite songs, in online lessons or at home in Bogotá.

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