Dm7 Guitar Chord
Welcome to our tutorial on the D minor 7 (D m7) chord. This chord is a part of the Minor Chords family, and is composed of the notes D, F, A, and C. The intervals that make up this chord are 1 (root), b3 (minor third), 5 (perfect fifth), and b7 (minor seventh). These intervals are the building blocks of the D m7 chord, giving it its distinctive sound.
Understanding the intervals on the fretboard can help you better grasp the structure of the D m7 chord. This is essential knowledge for any aspiring guitarist, as it provides the foundation for building and recognizing chords.
The D m7 chord is a common chord in many jazz chord progressions, and its rich, complex sound makes it a favorite among many musicians. However, it's not just limited to jazz - you'll also find it in a variety of other musical genres.
Learning to play the D m7 chord might be a bit challenging if you're just starting out. But don't worry, we've got you covered with detailed chord diagrams and fretboard patterns that show the tones composing the chord. These visual aids will guide you through the process, making it easier to master this chord.
Once you've got the hang of the D m7 chord, you can explore more intermediate chords and even try your hand at creating your own chord progressions. Remember, practice is key to mastering any new chord or technique.
Happy strumming!
Notes in the D m7 chord:
Chord Formula:
Dm7 Guitar Chord | Full Tutorial
Dm7 is a versatile and emotionally rich chord that can add depth to your music.
Whether in pop, funk, or blues, its unique sound enhances musical expression, making it a valuable addition to your guitar-playing repertoire.
Experiment with different positions and listen to its use in various songs to fully appreciate and master this chord.
Here below you find important information about this chord.
The Dm7 3 Most Common Voicings
Open String Voicing
This is the most frequent shape that guitar players learn at the beginning.
- Middle finger on the 2nd fret of the G (3rd) string
- Partial barre across the 6th and 5th strings, with the index finger
- Let the D string ring open
Movable Shape Version 1
This is a quite difficult shape that use a 5-string barre. You can move this shape up or down the fretboard to play other m7 chord, because it does not use open strings.
- 5-strings barre (5th to 1st) with index finger at the 5th fret.
- Middle finger on the 6th fret of the B (2nd) string
- Ring finger on the 7th fret of the D (3rd) string
- Mute the E lowest string
Movable Shape - Shell Chord
This is a shell chord shape, often used in Jazz.
- Index finger on the 10th fret of the 6th string (E string).
- Place your middle finger on the 10th fret of the 3rd string (D string)
- Place your ring finger on the 10th fret of the 4th string (G string)
- Mute the 5th (A), 1st (E) and 2nd (B) strings.
Keys And Roles Of Dm7 Chord
The Dm7 is common in C Major and F Major keys.
In the C Major key, Dm7 is the 2nd degree, called the supertonic, and it's quite common in ii-V-I Jazz progression
In the F Major key, D is the relative minor (6th degree), the submediant.
C Major Key
| C maj7 | D m7 | E m7 | F maj7 | G 7 | A m7 | B m7/b5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B (7) G (5) E (3) C (1) |
C (1) A (6) F (4) D (2) |
D (2) B (7) G (5) E (3) |
E (3) C (1) A (6) F (4) |
F (4) D (2) B (7) G (5) |
G (5) E (3) C (1) A (6) |
A (6) F (4) D (2) B (7) |
F Major Key
| F maj7 | G m7 | A m7 | Bb maj7 | C 7 | D m7 | E m7/b5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E (7) C (5) A (3) F (1) |
F (1) D (6) Bb (4) G (2) |
G (2) E (7) C (5) A (3) |
A (3) F (1) D (6) Bb (4) |
Bb (4) G (2) E (7) C (5) |
C (5) A (3) F (1) D (6) |
D (6) Bb (4) G (2) E (7) |
Typical Chord Progression With Dm7
Here are some common chord progressions in which you'll find this chord:
- In C Major: Dm7 as ii, in a ii-V-I Jazz progression: Dm7 - G7 - Cmaj7
- In Bb Major: Dm7 as iii, in a I-iii7-ii7 progression: Bb - Dm7 - Cm7
- In F Major: Dm7 as vi, in a I-ii-IV-vi7 progression: F - Gm - Bb - Dm7
Guitar Chord Shapes For Dm7
Chord boxes are sorted from the easiest to the hardest. Learn how to read chord diagrams.
If you have difficulties with bar chord shapes, check the Bar Chords Tips tutorial.
You can also use this accessible chords page with written diagrams instruction.
Position 1
Movable
Position 2
Movable
Position 3
Movable
Position 4
Open
Position 5
Movable
Position 6
Barre
Movable
Position 7
Barre
Open
Position 8
Barre
Open
Position 9
Barre
Movable
Position 10
Barre
Movable
Position 11
Barre
Movable
Position 12
Barre
Movable
Position 13
Barre
Movable
Position 14
Barre
Movable
You can find more shapes in our all guitar chords online library. If you
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the Free Guitar Chords Chart Pdf
FAQ
What are the essential notes and intervals that define a Dm7 chord?
A Dm7 chord is fundamentally defined by its root note D, along with specific intervals: the 1 (root), b3 (minor third), 5 (perfect fifth), and b7 (minor seventh). These intervals translate to the notes D, F, A, and C, which together give the Dm7 chord its distinctive minor sound with added depth.
In what musical contexts or genres is the Dm7 chord commonly used?
The Dm7 chord is highly versatile and frequently appears in a wide array of musical genres. It is a staple in jazz, where its rich, complex sound is often utilized, particularly in ii-V-I progressions. Beyond jazz, you'll also find the Dm7 chord adding depth and character in pop, funk, and blues music.
What is the benefit of learning movable Dm7 chord shapes compared to an open string voicing?
Movable Dm7 chord shapes offer significant flexibility because they do not rely on open strings. This means you can transpose the entire chord shape up or down the fretboard to play other minor seventh chords, making them invaluable for navigating different keys and creating varied chord progressions across the guitar neck.
What is a 'shell chord' Dm7 voicing and why is it useful in jazz?
A Dm7 'shell chord' is a minimalist voicing that focuses on the most harmonically essential notes of the chord, typically the root, third (or minor third), and seventh (or minor seventh). These concise voicings are often used in jazz to provide harmonic clarity while allowing other instruments or the guitarist's improvisation to fill out the sound, offering greater rhythmic and melodic freedom.
How does the Dm7 chord function within different musical keys and common chord progressions?
The Dm7 chord plays distinct roles depending on the musical key. In C Major, it functions as the 'ii' (two minor) chord, also known as the supertonic, and is a key component of the ii-V-I jazz progression (Dm7 - G7 - Cmaj7). In F Major, Dm7 serves as the 'vi' (six minor) chord, or the submediant, representing the relative minor. Understanding these functions helps integrate Dm7 naturally into various progressions like I-iii7-ii7 in Bb Major or I-ii-IV-vi7 in F Major.