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D minor 7th chord on bass (Dm7)
Also called or written Dm7 or Dmin7
D minor 7th contains D, F, A, and C. The 10th-fret shape is the same grip as B♭ minor 7th moved up four frets, so the stretch feels identical but higher on the neck.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 5, ♭7
- Root positionD–F–A–CDm710-12-10-10
- First inversionF–A–C–DDm7/F1-3-0-2
- Second inversionA–C–D–FDm7/A5-5-3-5
- Third inversionC–D–F–ADm7/C8-8-7-7
How do you play a D minor 7th chord on bass?
D minor 7th is played at the 10th fret as 10 12 10 10: index finger on the E string at fret 10, pinky finger on the A string at fret 12, middle finger on the D string at fret 10 and ring finger on the G string at fret 10.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 10 | 1 | D (1) |
| 3 (A) | 12 | 4 | A (5) |
| 2 (D) | 10 | 2 | C (♭7) |
| 1 (G) | 10 | 3 | F (♭3) |
AdvancedThe wide stretch from the index finger on fret 10 to the pinky on fret 12 is demanding, especially in the higher register.
Dm7/F inversion
D minor 7th is played in open position as 1 3 0 2: index finger on the E string at fret 1, ring finger on the A string at fret 3 and middle finger on the G string at fret 2. The D string rings open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 1 | 1 | F (♭3) |
| 3 (A) | 3 | 3 | C (♭7) |
| 2 (D) | open | — | D (1) |
| 1 (G) | 2 | 2 | A (5) |
Dm7/A inversion
D minor 7th is played at the 3rd fret as 5 5 3 5: middle finger on the E string at fret 5, ring finger on the A string at fret 5, index finger on the D string at fret 3 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 5.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 5 | 2 | A (5) |
| 3 (A) | 5 | 3 | D (1) |
| 2 (D) | 3 | 1 | F (♭3) |
| 1 (G) | 5 | 4 | C (♭7) |
Dm7/C inversion
D minor 7th is played at the 7th fret as 8 8 7 7: ring finger on the E string at fret 8, pinky finger on the A string at fret 8, index finger on the D string at fret 7 and middle finger on the G string at fret 7.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 8 | 3 | C (♭7) |
| 3 (A) | 8 | 4 | F (♭3) |
| 2 (D) | 7 | 1 | A (5) |
| 1 (G) | 7 | 2 | D (1) |
Why it sounds like that
D minor 7th is built from the formula 1, ♭3, 5, ♭7. The ♭3 and ♭7 give it a mellow, minor sound. Compare it with D minor, which omits the ♭7.
What goes wrong with D minor 7th?
- Letting the pinky collapse and buzz on the 3rd string, 12th fret.
- Accidentally muting the 2nd string with the ring finger while fretting the 1st.
- Pressing too hard with the index finger, sharpening the note on the 4th string.
When to use it
D minor 7th appears in the I–V–vi–IV progression in F major: F major–C major–D minor–B♭ major. It suits folk, pop, and classic rock where the ♭7 adds a gentle, unresolved quality.
Changing to and from D minor 7th
- Sliding the shape down two frets to the 8th fret gives C minor 7th.
- Sliding the shape down one fret to the 9th fret gives C♯ minor 7th.
Which voicing to use
The 10th-fret shape keeps D in the bass for a solid root-position sound. The Dm7/F inversion at the 1st fret puts F in the bass, which works well when the bass line moves stepwise from F to G. The Dm7/A inversion at the 5th fret places A in the bass, creating a brighter, more open sound.
Other D chords
Common questions
What is the difference between D minor 7th and D minor?
D minor 7th adds the ♭7, C, to the D minor triad. This extra note gives the chord a softer, more sophisticated sound.
Why does the Dm7/F inversion sound less stable?
The ♭3 in the bass creates a slight tension because it is not the root. This inversion is often used as a passing chord to lead into a chord with a lower root.
Can D minor 7th be played in open position?
Yes, the Dm7/F inversion at the 1st fret uses the open D string. This voicing is easier for beginners and has a warm, resonant tone.