Explore chords · Ukulele
D minor chord on ukulele (Dm)
Also called or written Dm or Dmin
D minor is built from D, F, and A. The open shape is a beginner-friendly grip that mutes the G string.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 5
How do you play a D minor chord on ukulele?
D minor is played in open position as × 2 1 0: middle finger on the C string at fret 2 and index finger on the E string at fret 1. The A string rings open. The G string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (C) | 2 | 2 | D (1) |
| 2 (E) | 1 | 1 | F (♭3) |
| 1 (A) | open | — | A (5) |
BeginnerMuting the G string while fretting two notes requires careful thumb placement.
Dmin/F inversion
D minor is played at the 5th fret as 7 5 5 5: barre your index finger across fret 5 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 7.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 7 | 4 | D (1) |
| 3 (C) | 5 | 1 (barre) | F (♭3) |
| 2 (E) | 5 | 1 (barre) | A (5) |
| 1 (A) | 5 | 1 (barre) | D (1) |
Dmin/A inversion
D minor is played at the 8th fret as 10 9 10 8: ring finger on the G string at fret 10, middle finger on the C string at fret 9, pinky finger on the E string at fret 10 and index finger on the A string at fret 8.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 10 | 3 | F (♭3) |
| 3 (C) | 9 | 2 | A (5) |
| 2 (E) | 10 | 4 | D (1) |
| 1 (A) | 8 | 1 | F (♭3) |
Open · 2-2-1-0
D minor is played in open position as 2 2 1 0: middle finger on the G string at fret 2, ring finger on the C string at fret 2 and index finger on the E string at fret 1. The A string rings open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2 | 2 | A (5) |
| 3 (C) | 2 | 3 | D (1) |
| 2 (E) | 1 | 1 | F (♭3) |
| 1 (A) | open | — | A (5) |
Why it sounds like that
D minor uses the formula 1, ♭3, 5. The ♭3 is F, which gives the chord its minor sound. Compare it with D major, where the third is F♯.
What goes wrong with D minor?
- The G string rings out, adding an unwanted note.
- The index finger touches the A string, muting the open note.
- The middle finger is too far from the fret, causing a buzz.
When to use it
D minor is the vi chord in F major, appearing in progressions like F–C–D minor–B♭ (I–V–vi–IV). It suits folk and singer-songwriter styles. Try it with F major and B♭ major.
Changing to and from D minor
- Move from D minor to F major by lifting the middle finger and placing the ring finger on the second fret of the G string.
Which voicing to use
The open voicing has D in the bass, while the Dmin/F inversion puts F in the bass for a darker color. The Dmin/A inversion places A in the bass, giving a more open sound.
Other D chords
Common questions
How is D minor written?
D minor is written as Dm, Dmin, D−, or Dmi.
Why is the G string muted in D minor?
The open G string is not a chord tone, so it would clash with the D, F, and A. Muting it keeps the chord clean.
How does D minor differ from D major?
D minor lowers the third from F♯ to F, changing the chord from major to minor. The fifth, A, stays the same.