D minor (Dm) chord on banjo

The D minor chord (Dm) is a minor triad, made of three notes: D – F – A.

Dots show:

Basic shapeeasy

Position 6medium

Position 10easy

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What the Dm chord sounds like

A minor triad differs from a major one only in the third: it has a minor third, which gives it a darker, sadder colour. In a major key, chords ii, iii and vi are minor.

Notes of the Dm chord

Degree	Note	Interval from the root
1	D	root
3	F	minor third (3 semitones)
5	A	perfect fifth (7 semitones)

How to play it – with fingering

Basic shape

String 1 (D): fret 3, ring finger (F4)
String 2 (B): fret 3, middle finger (D4)
String 3 (G): fret 2, index finger (A3)
String 4 (D): open (D3)

Position 6

String 1 (D): fret 7, little finger (A4)
String 2 (B): fret 6, index finger (F4)
String 3 (G): fret 7, ring finger (D4)
String 4 (D): fret 7, middle finger (A3)

Position 10, barre at fret 10

String 1 (D): open (D4)
String 2 (B): fret 10, index finger (A4)
String 3 (G): fret 10, index finger (F4)
String 4 (D): open (D3)

For the barre, lay your index finger flat across all the marked strings at fret 10; your other fingers press the higher frets.

Five-string banjo in open G tuning (g D G B D). The diagram shows the four long strings; the short 5th string (g) rings open – avoid it when G is not in the chord. In the diagram, × means the string is not played, and a circle means an open string.

Which keys is it in?

The Dm chord is built from the notes of these keys (for minor keys, both the natural and the harmonic minor are considered):

D minor: i (tonic)
G minor: v (dominant)
A minor: iv (subdominant)
B♭ major: iii
F major: vi
C major: ii

Similar chords and substitutes

If Dm is too hard, or you want a different colour in the same spot, these chords are worth a try.

Substitutes (by function)

F – relative major: two shared notes
B♭ – the major chord a major third below: two shared notes
Dm7 – a fuller, softer minor colour

Richer versions

Dm7 – the same chord plus 1 colour note
Dm6 – the same chord plus 1 colour note
Dm9 – the same chord plus 2 colour notes

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the Dm chord?

D, F, A. The root is D; the intervals of the other notes from the root: minor third, perfect fifth.

What is the easiest way to play Dm on banjo?

The easiest shape above is “Basic shape”, rated easy. We show 3 shapes, from open and easy versions to movable barre shapes higher up the neck.

How do I read the chord diagram?

Strings run from the lowest (left) to the highest (right) – tick “Left-handed” to mirror it. Rows are frets; a number at the side shows the starting fret. Dots are fingers (1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little), a long bar is a barre, × means don't play that string and ○ means play it open.

How is the Dm chord written?

The chord symbol is Dm, and its full name is D minor.