BEGINNER ACOUSTIC GUITAR LESSON 22

HOW TO PLAY THE Dm CHORD

Tuning Up Your Guitar

With its unique sound and technique, the Dm chord will certainly come in handy as you progress. In the video below, Justin Guitar goes through the proper fretting, compares it to D major so you can understand the theory behind it, and helps you find your comfort zone when playing it.

CHORDS USED IN THIS LESSON

D Minor Chord Chart

Playing the Dm Chord

Like every chord, there are many ways to play Dm. The first shape you should learn (and the one Justin shows you in the video), is in the first position. This form of Dm requires you to place your fingers on the first, second, and third frets, of the first, second, and third strings, while strumming the top four strings.

If you’ve already learned D Major, you may notice that the D minor chord form is very similar—the difference is the note on the high E string. The D Major chord includes an F#, which is on the second fret of the high E string. The D minor includes an F, which is a half-step down on the first fret of the high E string.

How to Play the Dm Chord on the First Fret

To play the D minor chord in the first position:

-Place your index finger on the 1^st fret of the high E string.

-Next place your middle finger on the 2^nd fret of the G String.

-Last, position your ring finger on the 3^rd fret of the B string.

-With those three fingers pressed down, strum the top 4 strings of the guitar (D, G, B, E or 4,3,2,1). This form includes the open D string for a more powerful sound.

What Notes Make Up the Dm Chord?

The D minor chord is made up of three notes — D, F, A. In different forms of D minor, one or more of those notes may be doubled. Commonly, in the first position, the open D string is strummed, in addition to the D note on the 3^rd fret of the B string.