D natural minor
One flat, B♭. Seven notes: D E F G A B♭ C. Try the key’s seven chords in different places on the neck. Press a shape to hear it and see its notes.
Across one chord in different positions. Down the chords in one position. | ||||
| iMainDmD · F · A | ||||
| ii°E°E · G · B♭ | ||||
| IIIMainFF · A · C | ||||
| ivGmG · B♭ · D | ||||
| vAmA · C · E | ||||
| VIMainB♭B♭ · D · F | ||||
| VIIMainCC · E · G |
Sounds good
Three patterns to try
Walk up to Gm. Strum Dm, pick E and F on the way up, land on Gm. Listen to how the bass connects the chords.
Triads on the top three strings. Three notes, three places, all Dm. Try them when a full six-string chord feels too busy.
- LowFrets 1–3
- MiddleFrets 5–7
- HighFret 10
Same chords, higher. The four main chords in the open position, then again in frets 5 to 8. Listen to how the higher voicings change the sound.
Exercises in D minor
Four drills, with a click
Play along with the metronome. The neck above highlights each step.
- Four chords in one positionDm – F – B♭ – C without leaving frets 2 to 6.70 bpmLevel 1
- Climb with one chordDm in all four places, low to high. Hear it brighten.60 bpmLevel 1
- Walk up to GmStrum Dm, then walk the bass E – F into Gm.90 bpmLevel 2
- Scale, then chordsPlay the scale in frets 5 to 8, then the four chords there.70 bpmLevel 2
Why one flat
A minor with B lowered
- D
- E
- F
- G
- A
- B♭
- C
- D
- E
- F
- G
- A
- B
- C
D minor is A minor with B lowered to B♭.
Harmonic minor
Harmonic minor change
Raising the seventh to C♯ changes Am to A major on the fifth degree.