Dm chord (D minor) on bass
Dm (D minor) has three notes: D, F and A. Its formula is 1, b3, 5. In major keys, Dm is the ii chord in C major, the iii in Bb major and the vi in F major.
How to play Dm on bass
Low notes close together sound muddy, so bass players spread a chord out and leave notes out. Forms with a 3rd or 7th sound clear from about the E string's 8th fret up, so they start there; root and 5th stays low. These forms put the root on the E string; the same shapes work from the A string.
Fingers: 1 on E, 3 on A.
Fingers: 1 on E, 3 on A, 3 on D.
Fingers: 1 on E, 1 on G.
Fingers: 1 on E, 3 on A, 1 on G.
Fingers: 1 on E, 1 on G.
Fingers: 1 on E, 3 on A, 1 on G.
Hear it and see every shape in ScaleSpace →
| Symbol | Dm |
|---|---|
| Also written | Dmin, D- |
| Notes | D F A |
| Formula | 1 b3 5 |
| Intervals | root, minor third, perfect fifth |
| Type | Minor chord |
Dm across the neck
Bass · 4-string, tuned low to high: E, A, D, G. 24 frets.
- E string: fret 1 F (flat 3), fret 5 A (5), fret 10 D (1), fret 13 F (flat 3), fret 17 A (5), fret 22 D (1).
- A string: fret 0 A (5), fret 5 D (1), fret 8 F (flat 3), fret 12 A (5), fret 17 D (1), fret 20 F (flat 3), fret 24 A (5).
- D string: fret 0 D (1), fret 3 F (flat 3), fret 7 A (5), fret 12 D (1), fret 15 F (flat 3), fret 19 A (5), fret 24 D (1).
- G string: fret 2 A (5), fret 7 D (1), fret 10 F (flat 3), fret 14 A (5), fret 19 D (1), fret 22 F (flat 3).
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Questions
What notes are in the Dm chord?
Dm (D minor) has three notes: D, F and A. Its formula is 1, b3, 5. D is the root, F is the minor third and A is the perfect fifth.
How do you play Dm on bass?
Bass players spread it out rather than strum it. The simplest form is the root and 5th: 1 5, root on the E string, fret 10. Fingers: 1 on E, 3 on A.
What key is Dm in?
In major keys, Dm is the ii chord in C major, the iii in Bb major and the vi in F major. It is diatonic to those keys, so it fits songs in any of them.
What is the difference between Dm and D?
Dm has a minor 3rd, F. D major raises it a half step to F#. The root and 5th stay the same.