Dm7 Chord on Guitar: Two-Finger Open Chord

Dm7 is D minor with one finger lifted. Two fingers, four strings. The minor 7th softens the chord into something more wistful than tragic. Used in jazz, soul, R&B, and any pop song that wants to sound thoughtful.

Dm7 is built from D, F, A, and C.

The Standard Dm7 Fingering

• 1st string (high E): 1st fret, index finger
• 2nd string (B): 1st fret, index finger (same finger barring two strings, or use middle for B)
• 3rd string (G): 2nd fret, ring finger
• 4th string (D): open
• Strings 5 and 6: do not play

Strum strings 1 through 4. The notes from low to high are D, A, C, F. All four notes of Dm7.

The trick is the index half-barre across the 1st and 2nd strings. If your index can't comfortably barre two strings, use index on the 2nd string and middle on the 1st string instead. The chord sounds the same.

How Dm7 Differs From Dm

One note. Dm has the ring finger on the 3rd fret of the B string, fretting D. Dm7 moves that finger over to the 2nd fret of the G string, fretting A (which is in both chords) and leaves the B string at the 1st fret only, where it produces C (the minor 7th).

Actually that's a chord shape change, not just a finger lift. The simpler description: Dm7 has a C in it (the open 1st string handles part of the chord, plus the 2nd string at fret 1). Dm has a D at the top (3rd fret B string).

Songs That Use Dm7

• "Stand By Me" uses Dm7 in some arrangements.
• "Layla" by Eric Clapton (the Unplugged version) uses Dm7-related shapes.
• Most jazz standards. Dm7 is the ii chord of C major and shows up in every ii-V-I in C.
• Soul and R&B. Dm7 is a staple.

The ii-V-I in C Major

Dm7-G7-Cmaj7. The single most common chord progression in jazz. The Dm7 is the ii chord. Practice this three-chord cycle and you've practiced more jazz harmony than 90 percent of pop guitarists ever do. The chord progression tool will loop ii-V-I in any key.

FAQ: Dm7 Chord Questions

What's the difference between Dm7 and Dm?

One note. Dm7 adds C, the minor 7th. Lift the ring finger off Dm and add a finger on the 2nd fret of the G string... actually the chord shape changes. The two chords share three notes (D, F, A) and Dm7 adds the C.

What's the difference between Dm7 and D7?

The 3rd. Dm7 has F natural (minor 3rd). D7 has F sharp (major 3rd). Dm7 is the ii of C major; D7 is the V of G major. Different functions, different moods.

Can I substitute Dm7 for Dm?

Often, yes. Dm7 sounds gentler and more ambient. In rock songs that want a strong minor chord, use Dm. In jazz, soul, or pop ballads, Dm7 usually sounds better.

What chord follows Dm7 most often?

G7 or G. Dm7 is the ii of C major and naturally moves to V (G7) and then to I (Cmaj7).

Is Dm7 hard to play?

No. Two fingers, with a small index half-barre. Easier than Dm in some ways because the half-barre is simpler than the three-finger Dm shape.