i-♭VI-♭VII-i (Andalusian Rock)
i · ♭VI · ♭VII · i
Aeolian rock pattern; metal anthem flavor.
Key of D Minor
The Key of D Minor
The chords in the key of D minor are Dm, Edim, F, Gm, Am, B♭ and C.
The classic dramatic minor.
Below: all seven diatonic chords with guitar shapes and audio, the scale, the key signature (B♭), 5 progressions already transposed into this key, and the keys next door.
Diatonic chords
The 7 chords in the key of D minor
Each degree of the D minor scale carries one chord. Roman numerals show the degree; the function column tells you what the chord does. Every name links to its full chord page — press play to hear it on guitar.
| Degree | Function | Chord | Guitar shape | Hear it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| i | TonicTonicHome — rests | DmD · F · A | ||
| ii° | SubdominantSupertonicDeparts — sets up the V | EdimE · G · B♭ | ||
| III | TonicMediantHome — rests | FF · A · C | ||
| iv | SubdominantSubdominantDeparts — sets up the V | GmG · B♭ · D | ||
| v | DominantDominantPulls back to I | AmA · C · E | ||
| VI | TonicSubmediantHome — rests | B♭B♭ · D · F | ||
| VII | DominantSubtonicPulls back to I | CC · E · G |
Want the same chords on another instrument? Every chord page carries piano, ukulele, bass, mandolin and banjo shapes — start with piano.
Character
Why songs live in D minor
D minor puts the tonic on an open string with the open A ringing above it, which is why it runs from Baroque laments through flamenco to metal. Dm, Gm, A and Bb are its backbone. It is also the punchline of the oldest joke in rock — the saddest of all keys — which tells you how thoroughly the association stuck.
Scale
The D minor scale
Seven notes, in order from the tonic. Tap any note to hear it, or play the whole scale ascending.
Fretboard patterns and full scale reference: D Natural Minor (Aeolian).
Key signature
The D minor key signature
B♭
D minor is written with 1 flat. Every B in the music is played flat unless an accidental says otherwise. Its relative major, F major, shares this signature exactly.
Progressions
Chord progressions in D minor
The most-used progressions, already transposed into D minor. Every chord links to its own page; the progression name opens the full breakdown.
ii°-V-i (Minor ii-V-i)
iiø · V · i
The minor-key version of ii-V-I.
i-♭VII-♭VI-V (Andalusian)
i · ♭VII · ♭VI · V
Flamenco / Phrygian descent; minor with major V.
i-iv-V (Minor Three Chord)
i · iv · V
Minor three-chord with major V.
i-♭VI-♭VII (Aeolian Loop)
i · ♭VI · ♭VII
Aeolian rock loop.
FAQ
Questions about the key of D minor
- What chords are in the key of D minor?
- The key of D minor contains seven diatonic chords: Dm (i), Edim (ii°), F (III), Gm (iv), Am (v), Bb (VI), C (VII). Most songs in D minor lean on Dm, Gm and Am — the tonic, subdominant and dominant.
- What is the relative major of D minor?
- F major is the relative major of D minor. Both keys share the same key signature (1 flat) and exactly the same seven notes — F major simply treats F as home instead of D, which is why you can borrow chords freely between them.
- What are the easiest chords in D minor to play on guitar?
- Dm, Edim, Am and C are the open shapes in D minor — no barre required. The rest of the diatonic chords need a barre or a movable grip, so many players capo instead and use familiar open shapes from an easier key.
Learn the theory
Read up on D minor
This page is the reference. These are the guides that explain how a key works in the first place — read one and the table above stops needing to be looked up.