D Minor Chord on Piano – Notes, Inversions and Songs

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The D minor chord, often abbreviated to Dm in sheet music, is distinguished by its deep, melancholy piano sound. Made up of the notes D, F and A, this minor chord is frequently used in a variety of genres, from classical to rock and jazz, to express introspective feelings. Mastery of the D minor chord opens the door to a range of musical expressions, underscoring the importance of its place in piano learning.

In this article, we’ll learn how to play the notes and inversions of the D minor chord on the piano through illustrations and tutorial videos. At the end of the article, we’ll also look at some popular songs that use this famous minor chord to create a nostalgic atmosphere.

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The D minor chord: what is it?

The D minor chord is a musical chord formed on the basis of a minor triad, comprising three specific notes: the root D, the minor third F, and the perfect fifth A. This combination of notes produces a dark, emotive sound, contrasting with the brighter tones of the major chords. Used in a multitude of musical styles, the D minor chord brings depth and complexity to pieces, enabling composers and musicians to explore melancholy or contemplative moods.

How to play the root position of the D minor chord on the piano?

Right hand

Let’s start with the right hand. The D minor is made up of 3 notes: a root note, a third and a fifth. To compose this chord, press the following three notes at the same time on your piano with the fingers indicated:

A – Fifth finger (5)
F – Third finger (3)
D – First finger (1)

Notes of the D minor chord in the root position of the right hand on a piano keyboard (with fingering).

Notes of the D minor chord in the root position of the right hand on a score staff.

Left hand

For the left hand, the notes remain the same but the position of the fingers changes. Play your D minor by pressing the following 3 notes:

A – First finger (1)
F – Third finger (3)
D – Fifth finger (5)

Notes of the D minor chord in the root position of the left hand on a piano keyboard (with fingering).

Notes of the D minor chord in the root position of the left hand on a score staff.

Tutorial video

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How to play the first inversion of the D minor chord on the piano?

Right hand

The first inversion of the D minor chord is composed of the following 3 notes in the right hand:

D – Fifth finger (5)
A – Second finger (2)
F – First finger (1)

Notes of the first inversion of the D minor chord played with the right hand on a piano keyboard (with fingering).

Notes of the first inversion of the D minor chord played with the right hand on a score staff.

Left hand

To play the same D minor inversion with your left hand, only the position of the fingers changes:

D – First finger (1)
A – Third finger (3)
F – Fifth finger (5)

Notes of the first inversion of the D minor chord played with the left hand on a piano keyboard (with fingering).

Notes of the first inversion of the D minor chord played with the left hand on a score staff.

Tutorial video

How to play the second inversion of the D minor chord on the piano?

Right hand

The second inversion of the D minor chord is played with the following 3 notes in the right hand:

F – Fifth finger (5)
D – Third finger (3)
A – First finger (1)

Notes for the second inversion of the D minor chord played with the right hand on a piano keyboard (with fingering).

Notes for the second inversion of the D minor chord played with the right hand on a score staff.

Left hand

Press the following 3 keys on your keyboard to play the second inversion of D minor chord with your left hand and the appropriate fingers:

F – First finger (1)
D – Second finger (2)
A – Fifth finger (5)

Notes for the second inversion of the D minor chord played with the left hand on a piano keyboard (with fingering).

Notes for the second inversion of the D minor chord played with the left hand on a score staff.

Tutorial video

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Exercises to master the D minor chord on the piano

Practicing these exercises several times a week will enable you to make rapid progress. For the D minor chord, we recommend the following exercises:

D minor arpeggio exercise (Dm): Start by slowly playing the notes of the D minor chord (D, F, A) in an arpeggio, moving up and down the keyboard. Gradually increase the speed, while maintaining the regularity and precision of the keys. This exercise will develop your finger agility and familiarity with the chord structure.
Harmonic progression with Dm: Practice a simple progression including the D minor chord, e.g. D minor (Dm)-G minor (Gm)-D minor (Dm). This progression will help you understand how the chord fits into various contexts, and work on your transitions between chords.
Melodic improvisation in Dm: On a simple rhythmic base or a background recording in D minor, improvise melodies using the notes of the Dm chord as anchor points. This stimulates creativity and reinforces understanding of the chord’s tonal color.
Duet playing: If possible, work with a partner where one plays the D minor (Dm) chord continuously while the other improvises a melody. This exercise will enhance your listening and musical interaction skills, while consolidating your mastery of the chord.
Transposing chords: Master the D minor chord in different positions on the keyboard and transpose it into other keys. This will help you understand the underlying musical theory and improve your playing flexibility.

You can also use our interactive piano learning app to improve your fingering and ease on this chord and many others.

Some popular songs that use the D minor

Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) by The Beatles

This song incorporates the D minor chord in its progression, adding a touch of melancholy to this narrative tale, characteristic of the iconic rock band’s talent for musical composition.

Learn to play Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) by The Beatles easily on the piano →

Scarborough Fair by Simon & Garfunkel

This traditional English ballad, arranged and popularized by Simon & Garfunkel, uses the D minor chord to create a meditative atmosphere.

Learn to play Scarborough Fair by Simon & Garfunkel easily on the piano →

Shake It Out by Florence and The Machine

This track blends elements of indie rock and gospel, where the D minor chord plays a key role in building its ethereal ambience.

Learn to play Shake It Out by Florence and The Machine easily on the piano →

Conclusion

As you can see, the D minor chord is much more than a simple combination of notes on the keyboard. Its richness of sound and emotion provides an ideal backdrop for exploring a range of profound emotions on the piano. Its presence in many musical works of various genres testifies to its versatility and fundamental importance in the process of musical creation.

We hope this article has enabled you to play the D minor chord and its inversions easily on the piano. In this way, you’ll be able to incorporate it into your next performance, composition or improvisation. Don’t forget to repeat the above exercises regularly to continue improving the fluidity of your movements and transitions on the piano.

If you’d like to progress further, our specialized piano app will teach you to play a large number of chords to your favorite songs.