Piano chord
Dm7D minor seventh
- D1
- F♭3
- A5
- C♭7
- Notes
- 4
- Positions
- 4
- Span
- 10semitones
- Fingers
- 1-2-4-5
How to play Dm7 on piano
- Find D: it is the root and the lowest note of the chord in root position.
- Right hand: 1 on D, 2 on F, 4 on A, 5 on C.
- Or with the left hand: 5 on D, 4 on F, 2 on A, 1 on C.
- Press the keys together, with curved fingers and a loose wrist, and let them ring.
Root position · D – F – A – C
1st inversion · F – A – C – D
2nd inversion · A – C – D – F
3rd inversion · C – D – F – A
Numbers on the keys are fingers: 1 thumb, 2 index, 3 middle, 4 ring, 5 little finger.
Dm7 inversions
Here are all 4 positions of Dm7. The notes stay the same, only their order changes: root position has D at the bottom, and every inversion starts on the next chord tone.
- Root positionbass: DRight hand 1-2-4-5 · Left hand 5-4-2-1
- 1st inversionbass: FRight hand 1-3-4-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
- 2nd inversionbass: ARight hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
- 3rd inversionbass: CRight hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-4-3-1
Chords that go with Dm7
The other chords of D minor, the key where Dm7 is home (i7). Songs in this key move between them.
Dm7 with two hands
A full sound: the left hand plays D an octave lower, the right hand plays D–F–A–C.
Dm7 on other instruments
About the Dm7 chord
The 4 notes of D minor seventh are D (1), F (♭3), A (5), C (♭7). A minor seventh: a minor triad with the flat seventh. Softer than a plain minor chord, it is the ii chord of jazz and a favourite in R&B.
Put your thumb on D and count up: D – F – A – C. The whole chord spans 10 semitones from bottom to top. That fits inside an octave, so one hand covers Dm7 without stretching.
The inversions of Dm7 keep the same notes in a new order. In the 1st inversion the bass is F (F–A–C–D). In the 2nd inversion the bass is A (A–C–D–F). In the 3rd inversion the bass is C (C–D–F–A).
Add C to Dm and you have Dm7.
Dm7 belongs to C major (ii7), F major (vi7), B flat major (iii7), A minor (iv7), D minor (i7).
Questions
What notes are in the Dm7 chord?
Dm7 (D minor seventh) has 4 notes: D (1), F (♭3), A (5), C (♭7).
How many inversions does Dm7 have?
Dm7 can be played in 4 positions: Root position (D–F–A–C); 1st inversion (F–A–C–D); 2nd inversion (A–C–D–F); 3rd inversion (C–D–F–A).
What is the difference between Dm7 and Dm?
Add C to Dm and you have Dm7.
Can I play Dm7 with one hand?
Yes. In root position Dm7 spans 10 semitones, less than an octave, so one hand holds it easily.