D minor chord on piano

Dm · Dmin · D− — the darker, sadder sound: a major chord with its third lowered.

Notes	D – F – A
Formula	1 – ♭3 – 5
Symbols	Dm, Dmin, D−
Fingering (root position)	Right hand 1 3 5 · Left hand 5 3 1

How to play D minor on the piano

Start on D. Add the third (F) and the fifth (A). With the right hand use fingers 1 3 5; with the left hand 5 3 1. Press the keys together for the chord, or one after another for an arpeggio.

Inversions

The same notes in a different order: the lowest note changes, the chord stays D minor. Inversions let you move between chords with small steps.

Root position

D – F – A · RH 1 3 5 · LH 5 3 1

1st inversion

F – A – D · RH 1 2 5 · LH 5 3 1

2nd inversion

A – D – F · RH 1 3 5 · LH 5 2 1

Which keys use D minor

In these keys the chord is built from the notes of the scale itself:

ii in C major
i in D minor
vi in F major
v in G minor
iv in A minor
iii in B♭ major

Its relative major chord is F major.

Other D chords

D major D diminished D augmented D sus2 D sus4 D6 D7 D major seventh D minor seventh D diminished seventh D half-diminished

Practise chords with the Klavola app

Lessons, ear training, chord pads and hundreds of songs that listen to you play.

Get the app

▶ Play it on the full online piano · All piano chords