
D minor sixth (Dm6) chord on ukulele
Looking for the Dm6 chord on ukulele? It is a minor sixth chord (a minor triad plus a major sixth), made of four notes: D – F – A – B.
Tap a string on a diagram to hear just that string. The sound is generated in your browser with a physical string model.
What the Dm6 chord sounds like
A minor sixth chord is a minor triad with a major sixth: dark but taut, with a film-noir feel. It is a common minor tonic in gypsy jazz, tango and jazz.
Notes of the Dm6 chord
| Degree | Note | Interval from the root |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | D | root |
| 3 | F | minor third (3 semitones) |
| 5 | A | perfect fifth (7 semitones) – often omitted on fretted instruments |
| 6 | B | major sixth (9 semitones) |
How to play it – with fingering
Basic shape
- String 1 (A): fret 2, little finger (B4)
- String 2 (E): fret 1, index finger (F4)
- String 3 (C): fret 2, ring finger (D4)
- String 4 (G): fret 2, middle finger (A4)
Position 4
- String 1 (A): fret 5, little finger (D5)
- String 2 (E): fret 5, ring finger (A4)
- String 3 (C): fret 5, middle finger (F4)
- String 4 (G): fret 4, index finger (B4)
Position 7
- String 1 (A): fret 8, ring finger (F5)
- String 2 (E): fret 7, middle finger (B4)
- String 3 (C): fret 9, little finger (A4)
- String 4 (G): fret 7, index finger (D5)
Tuning: G C E A (the G string is higher than the C – standard re-entrant ukulele tuning). In the diagram, × means the string is not played, and a circle means an open string.
Which keys is it in?
The Dm6 chord is built from the notes of these keys (for minor keys, both the natural and the harmonic minor are considered):
- A minor: iv6 (subdominant)
- C major: ii6
Similar chords and substitutes
If Dm6 is too hard, or you want a different colour in the same spot, these chords are worth a try.
Substitutes (by function)
Same notes
- Bm7b5 – the same notes with a different root
Simpler versions
- Dm – all 3 of its notes are in this chord
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the Dm6 chord?
D, F, A, B. The root is D; the intervals of the other notes from the root: minor third, perfect fifth, major sixth.
What is the easiest way to play Dm6 on ukulele?
The easiest shape above is “Position 10”, rated easy. We show 4 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.
Why is a note missing from some Dm6 shapes?
On a fretted instrument you can't always play every note of a 4-note chord. The fifth (A) may be dropped – the chord keeps its character without it.
How is the Dm6 chord written?
The chord symbol is Dm6, and its full name is D minor sixth.
Related chords
The same chord on another instrument:
Dm6 on guitarDm6 on pianoDm6 on mandolinDm6 on banjo
Other D chords on ukulele:
DDmD7Dmaj7Dm7Dsus2Dsus4D7sus4D6Dadd9DdimDaugDdim7Dm7b5D9Dm9Dmaj9D11D13
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