Dm7 Chord (D minor 7th) on Guitar
Dm7 (D minor 7th) is made of the notes D – F – A – C. The easiest guitar fingering is xx0211 (low E to high e; x = muted, 0 = open). It uses a barre, so it is more demanding than an open chord. Expect it to take some practice to sound clean.
Easiest shape
Alternative shape
Higher position
How to play Dm7
- Play the 4th string (D) open (D).
- Press the 3rd string (G) at fret 2 (A).
- Press the 2nd string (B) at fret 1 (C).
- Press the 1st string (high e) at fret 1 (F).
- Do not play the 6th string (low E).
- Do not play the 5th string (A).
| String | Fret | Note | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6th string (low E) | x (mute) | - | |
| 5th string (A) | x (mute) | - | |
| 4th string (D) | 0 (open) | D | R |
| 3rd string (G) | 2 | A | 5 |
| 2nd string (B) | 1 | C | b7 |
| 1st string (high e) | 1 | F | b3 |
What is a D minor 7th chord?
A minor 7th chord is a minor triad with a minor seventh added on top.
Notes and formula. Dm7 contains D, F, A, C. Counted from the root D, that is R (root), b3 (minor 3rd), 5 (perfect 5th), b7 (minor 7th).
Sound. Mellow, warm and relaxed. It is minor without the sadness of a plain minor triad.
Where it is used. Everywhere in funk, soul, R&B, jazz and lo-fi. It is the ii chord in jazz ii-V-I progressions and a common substitute for the plain minor chord.
Tips for playing Dm7
Many minor 7th shapes are easier than the minor chord itself because they lift a finger. Try swapping Am for Am7 in a song you know.
Common mistake: Treating m7 and maj7 as the same. The "m" means the third is minor; the 7 means the seventh is a minor seventh.
Keys that contain Dm7
Dm7 is a diatonic chord, meaning it occurs naturally without accidentals, in these keys:
- C major – ii chord
- F major – vi chord
- Bb major – iii chord
- A minor – iv chord
- D minor – i chord
- G minor – v chord
Try it in a progression: browse chord progressions for every key.
Scales to play over Dm7
Related chords
Dm7 chord FAQ
What notes are in a Dm7 chord?
Dm7 (D minor 7th) contains the notes D, F, A, C. The formula is R–b3–5–b7 relative to the root D.
How do you play Dm7 on guitar?
The most common shape for Dm7 is xx0211, read from the low E string to the high e string (x = muted, 0 = open, numbers = frets). It uses a barre, so it is more demanding than an open chord. Expect it to take some practice to sound clean.
Is Dm7 an easy guitar chord?
It is rated intermediate. It uses a barre, so it is more demanding than an open chord. Expect it to take some practice to sound clean.
Which keys contain Dm7?
Dm7 is a diatonic chord in C major (ii), F major (vi), Bb major (iii), A minor (iv), D minor (i), G minor (v).
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