D minor chord on bass (Dm)

Also called or written Dm or Dmin

D minor contains the notes D, F, and A. This 10th-fret shape is a movable four-string voicing that suits intermediate players.

Positions on the neck1 of 5

Practice D minor chord

How it is built

DRootFMinor thirdAPerfect fifth

Formula 1, ♭3, 5

Inversions

Root positionD–F–ADm10-12-12-10
First inversionF–A–DDm/F1-0-0-2
Second inversionA–D–FDm/A5-5-3-×

How do you play a D minor chord on bass?

D minor is played at the 10th fret as 10 12 12 10: index finger on the E string at fret 10, ring finger on the A string at fret 12, pinky finger on the D string at fret 12 and middle 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	3	A (5)
2 (D)	12	4	D (1)
1 (G)	10	2	F (♭3)

IntermediateThe stretch between the index finger on the 10th fret and the ring and pinky on the 12th fret requires comfortable finger independence.

Dmin/F inversion · open position

D minor is played in open position as 1 0 0 2: index finger on the E string at fret 1 and middle finger on the G string at fret 2. The A and D strings ring open.

Full note and interval breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (E)	1	1	F (♭3)
3 (A)	open	—	A (5)
2 (D)	open	—	D (1)
1 (G)	2	2	A (5)

Dmin/F inversion · fret 12

D minor is played at the 12th fret as 13 12 12 14: ring finger on the E string at fret 13, index finger on the A string at fret 12, middle finger on the D string at fret 12 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 14.

Full note and interval breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (E)	13	3	F (♭3)
3 (A)	12	1	A (5)
2 (D)	12	2	D (1)
1 (G)	14	4	A (5)

Dmin/A inversion · fret 3

D minor is played at the 3rd fret as 5 5 3 ×: middle finger on the E string at fret 5, ring finger on the A string at fret 5 and index finger on the D string at fret 3. The G string stays muted.

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)	muted	—	—

Dmin/A inversion · fret 10

D minor is played at the 10th fret as × 12 12 10: middle finger on the A string at fret 12, ring finger on the D string at fret 12 and index finger on the G string at fret 10. The E string stays muted.

Full note and interval breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (E)	muted	—	—
3 (A)	12	2	A (5)
2 (D)	12	3	D (1)
1 (G)	10	1	F (♭3)

Why it sounds like that

D minor is built from the formula 1, ♭3, 5, with the ♭3 (F) giving it its minor quality. The interval from D to F is a minor 3rd, and from D to A is a perfect 5th. Compared to D major, the third is lowered by one semitone.

What goes wrong with D minor?

Letting the middle finger flatten onto the 1st string and mute it.
Pressing the ring finger too far from the fret, causing the 3rd string to buzz.
Striking the strings too hard and losing the clarity of the inner notes.

When to use it

D minor is the vi chord in F major, appearing in progressions like F–C–Dm–B♭ (I–V–vi–IV). It suits folk, rock, and pop lines where a darker color is needed without leaving the key.

Changing to and from D minor

Move to C minor by sliding the shape down two frets to the 8th fret.
Move to C♯ minor by sliding the shape down one fret to the 9th fret.

Which voicing to use

The 10th-fret shape puts the root D in the bass, giving a solid, centered sound. For a lighter feel, use the Dmin/F inversion, which places the third F in the bass and softens the chord's attack.

Other D chords

Common questions

How does D minor differ from D major?

D minor lowers the third from F♯ to F, changing the chord's quality from bright to somber. The fifth and root remain the same.

What scales work over D minor?

D natural minor and D minor pentatonic are the most direct choices. The blues scale adds a ♭5 for a grittier sound.

Can I play D minor with a barre?

The 10th-fret shape uses individual fingers, not a barre. The Dmin/F inversion at the 1st fret is easier for beginners.