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Dm7(Minor 7th Chord)

A minor triad with a minor seventh. Smooth, soulful sound central to jazz and soul music.

Notes
D – F – A – C
Intervals (semitones)
0 – 3 – 7 – 10
Type
7th Chord

🎹 Dm7 on Piano

Press highlighted keys simultaneously to play the Dm7 chord.

R
D(Root (R))
2
F(Minor 3rd (♭3))
3
A(Perfect 5th)
4
C(Minor 7th (♭7))

🎸 Dm7 on Guitar

The Dm7 chord uses notes D, F, A, C. Build a voicing by finding these notes on any strings — root on the 6th string is a common starting point for barre chord shapes.

Interval Analysis

DegreeInterval NameSemitonesNote in D
RootRoot (R)0D
3rdMinor 3rd (♭3)3F
5thPerfect 5th7A
7thMinor 7th (♭7)10C

About the D Minor 7th Chord

The Dm7 chord (D Minor 7th) consists of 4 notes: D, F, A, C. A minor triad with a minor seventh. Smooth, soulful sound central to jazz and soul music.

To build any minor 7th chord, apply intervals of 0, 3, 7, 10 semitones above the root. Starting from D: the notes land on D, F, A, C.

Playing Dm7 on Piano

Press D, F, A, C simultaneously. In root position, D is lowest. First inversion places F in the bass for a lighter sound; second inversion uses A as the bass note.

Common Chord Progressions Using Dm7

  • I–IV–V: Dm7 – Gm7 – Am7 (blues and rock)
  • I–V–vi–IV: Dm7 – A – Bm – G (pop staple)
  • I–vi–IV–V: Dm7 – Bm – G – A (50s progression)

The Dm7 Chord in Context

As a minor 7th chord, Dm7 is the tonic (I) in the key of D major. It also appears as the IV chord in A major, and as the V chord in G major — making it one of the most important chords across all of Western music.

Other D Chords

D
Major
Dm
Minor
D7
Dominant 7th
Dmaj7
Major 7th
Ddim
Diminished
Daug
Augmented

Minor 7th Chord in All 12 Keys

Cm7C#m7Dm7D#m7Em7Fm7F#m7Gm7G#m7Am7A#m7Bm7
🎹 Virtual Piano
Play Dm7 on piano
🎸 Virtual Guitar
See on the fretboard
🎵 D Scale
Notes that fit Dm7
🎶 Songs
Find songs using Dm7

FAQ

Dm7 Chord — Frequently Asked Questions

What notes are in the Dm7 chord?
The D Minor 7th chord contains: D, F, A, C. These notes are derived by applying the minor 7th interval formula (0–3–7–10 semitones) to the root note D.
What is the Dm7 chord used for?
A minor triad with a minor seventh. Smooth, soulful sound central to jazz and soul music. The Dm7 chord is used across pop, rock, jazz, and classical music. As the I chord in the key of D major, it functions as the most stable resting point in progressions.
How do you play Dm7 on piano?
On piano, play D, F, A, C simultaneously. In root position, D is the lowest note. Inversions move the bass note up — first inversion has F lowest, second inversion has A lowest.
How many notes are in a minor 7th chord?
A minor 7th chord has 4 notes: D, F, A, C (in D). It is a 7th chord, extending beyond the basic triad.
What is the difference between D major and D minor?
The D major chord (D–F#–A) uses a major third (4 semitones), giving it a bright, happy sound. The D minor chord (D–F–A) uses a minor third (3 semitones), giving it a darker, emotional sound.
What key does Dm7 belong to?
Dm7 naturally serves as the I chord in the key of D major. It also appears as IV in the key of A major, and as V in the key of G major.
Can I play Dm7 on ukulele?
Yes. The ukulele uses GCEA tuning with 4 strings. The Dm7 chord notes (D, F, A, C) can be fretted on a ukulele, though the shapes differ from guitar due to the 4-string layout and shorter scale.
What chords go well with Dm7?
In the key of D major, Dm7 pairs naturally with G major (IV), A major (V), and Bm (vi). The classic I–IV–V (Dm7–G–A) is the foundation of blues, country, and rock.
What is a chord inversion of Dm7?
An inversion places a non-root note in the bass. Dm7 root position: D in bass. First inversion: F in bass. Second inversion: A in bass. Inversions create smoother bass line movement without changing the harmony.
How do I memorize the notes in a minor 7th chord?
Remember the formula: 0–3–7–10 semitones from root. For Dm7: start on D, add 3 semitones, then 7 semitones, then 10 semitones. Practicing this across all 12 roots builds instant recognition of any minor 7th chord.