Dm7 (D minor seventh) is built from 4 notes: D, F, A, C.
- Droot
- Fminor third
- Aperfect fifth
- Cminor seventh
Formula: 1, b3, 5, b7
How to play Dm7 on guitar
x x 0 2 1 1x 5 7 5 6 510 12 10 10 10 10Read the diagrams with the low E string on the left. × means do not play that string, ○ means play it open.
How to play Dm7 on piano
Play D, F, A, C together. With your right hand, use fingers 1, 2, 3 and 5 (thumb on D). Your left hand can play D an octave lower for a fuller sound.
Where Dm7 is used
Dm7 fits in three major keys: it is the two chord (ii7) in C major, the three chord (iii7) in B♭ major and the six chord (vi7) in F major. It is also the home chord (i7) of D minor.
The most common place you will meet it is the ii-V-I progression: Dm7 - G7 - Cmaj7. That move is the backbone of jazz standards and shows up in plenty of pop and soul songs too.
Compared with plain Dm, the added C makes the chord sound smoother and less sad.
Related chords
Change this chord into another key with the Chord Transposer, or look up any other chord or scale in the Chord and Scale Finder.