D minor scale

D minor

  • DR
  • E2
  • F♭3
  • G4
  • A5
  • B♭♭6
  • C♭7

Positions

123456789101112131415EFGAB♭CDEFGAB♭CDEFGAB♭CDEFGAB♭CDEFGAB♭CDEFGAB♭CDEFGAB♭CDEFGAB♭CDEFG

How it is built

  • Seven notes: whole, half, whole, whole, half, whole, whole. The half steps fall between E–F and A–B♭.
  • F is the flat third, the note that makes it minor. C is the flat seventh, a whole step below D, so the pull home is softer than in major.
  • Same notes as F major. Raise C to C♯ for harmonic minor and the V chord turns major.

Chords in the key of D minor

  1. iDm
  2. ii°Edim
  3. IIIF
  4. ivGm
  5. vAm
  6. VIB♭
  7. VIIC
Build a progression in D minor →

Chords that fit D minor

Related keys

  • Relative: F major — same notes, different home
  • Parallel: D major — same root, different notes

Other D scales