D Minor: Scale, Chords and Progressions

Chords in the key of D minor

The key of D minor has one flat in the key signature (B♭). Its scale is D – E – F – G – A – B♭ – C and its seven chords are Dm, Edim, F, Gm, Am, B♭ and C. The most common progression is Dm – B♭ – F – C. Its relative key is F major. With a capo on fret 5, you can play it with the shapes of A minor.

The chords in the key

Dm is home and Gm darkens it. The natural fifth chord, Am, resolves softly; swap it for A7 and it pulls hard towards Dm. The four-note versions add the seventh.

Degree	Chord	Notes	Role	With seventh
i	Dm	D – F – A	Tonic: home	Dm7
ii°	Edim	E – G – B♭	Subdominant	—
III	F	F – A – C	Relative major	Fmaj7
iv	Gm	G – B♭ – D	Subdominant	Gm7
v	Am	A – C – E	Minor dominant	Am7
VI	B♭	B♭ – D – F	Subdominant (epic colour)	B♭maj7
VII	C	C – E – G	Subtonic	C7

Scale

D – E – F – G – A – B♭ – C

With a capo

To make a song sound in D minor with easy open shapes:

Capo on fret 5: play the shapes of A minor

Common progressions

Loop them in the chord player and use them as the base of a song.

Dm – B♭ – F – C i – bVI – bIII – bVII Play in the chord player
Dm – Gm – Am – Dm i – iv – v – i Play in the chord player
Dm – C – B♭ – A i – bVII – bVI – V Play in the chord player
Dm – Gm – A7 – Dm i – iv – V7 – i Play in the chord player

Frequently asked questions

What chords are in the key of D minor?

Its seven chords are Dm, Edim, F, Gm, Am, B♭ and C.

How many sharps or flats does D minor have?

It has one flat in the key signature (B♭).

What is the relative key of D minor?

Its relative key is F major: they share the same notes and chords.