Also written Dm7 or Dmin7
D minor 7th contains D, F, A, and C. This advanced shape uses a compact four-finger grip with no barre, but the pinky stretch to the third fret challenges smaller hands.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
D minor 7th is built from the formula 1, ♭3, 5, ♭7. The minor 7th interval from D to C gives this chord its characteristic warmth. Compare it to D minor, which omits the 7th.
D minor 7th works as the vi chord in F major progressions like F–C–Dm–B♭, the I–V–vi–IV. Its mellow tone fits folk, pop, and gentle rock.
The default 1st fret voicing has D in the bass, giving a root-position sound. For a different color, the Dm7/F inversion at the 5th fret places F in the bass.
D minor 7th is played at the 1st fret as 2 2 1 3: middle finger on the G string at fret 2, ring finger on the C string at fret 2, index finger on the E string at fret 1 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 3.
Tip — The pinky must reach the third fret cleanly while the other fingers hold the second fret, requiring a wide stretch.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2 | 2 | A (5) |
| 3 (C) | 2 | 3 | D (1) |
| 2 (E) | 1 | 1 | F (♭3) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 4 | C (♭7) |
D minor 7th is played at the 5th fret as 5 5 5 5: barre your index finger across fret 5.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5 | 1 (barre) | C (♭7) |
| 3 (C) | 5 | 1 (barre) | F (♭3) |
| 2 (E) | 5 | 1 (barre) | A (5) |
| 1 (A) | 5 | 1 (barre) | D (1) |
D minor 7th is played at the 7th fret as 7 9 8 8: index finger on the G string at fret 7, pinky finger on the C string at fret 9, middle finger on the E string at fret 8 and ring finger on the A string at fret 8.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 7 | 1 | D (1) |
| 3 (C) | 9 | 4 | A (5) |
| 2 (E) | 8 | 2 | C (♭7) |
| 1 (A) | 8 | 3 | F (♭3) |
D minor 7th is played at the 10th fret as 10 12 10 12: index finger on the G string at fret 10, ring finger on the C string at fret 12, middle finger on the E string at fret 10 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 12.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 10 | 1 | F (♭3) |
| 3 (C) | 12 | 3 | C (♭7) |
| 2 (E) | 10 | 2 | D (1) |
| 1 (A) | 12 | 4 | A (5) |
D minor 7th adds the minor 7th note C to the D minor triad. This extra note creates a softer, more complex sound.
The default voicing requires the pinky on the third fret. The Dm7/F inversion at the 5th fret uses a barre instead, avoiding the stretch.
D minor 7th has a minor 7th (C), while D minor 6th has a major 6th (B). The 7th gives a more open, jazzy sound.