Dm7 Chord
Dm7 combines a minor triad with C, its flat seventh. In a ii-V-I it often starts the journey rather than ending it.
- Notes: D-F-A-C
- Symbol: Dm7
- ii7 in C major
- Minor third and flat seventh
Dm7
How to play a Dm7 chord
Notes: D - F - A - CDm7
Root position
D - F - A - C1st inversion
F - A - C - D2nd inversion
A - C - D - F3rd inversion
C - D - F - A
Where does Dm7 belong?
In C major, Dm7 starts as ii7 before the dominant moves toward the tonic.
Play the role cards to hear how its surrounding chords change the job it does; Diatonic Chords explains the basic numbered roles.
- The ii in ii-V-Iii7
The first step of the most common move in jazz, heading to C.
Dm7ii7G7Cmaj7 - The relative minorvi7
Same notes as F major with a darker center.
Fmaj7Dm7vi7Gm7C7 - Dorian vampi7
Two chords back and forth: the major IV gives D Dorian its brighter minor sound.
Dm7i7G7 - A soft stand-iniii7
It shares three notes with Bbmaj7, so it moves without leaving home.
Bbmaj7Dm7iii7Ebmaj7
Progressions to try
- Dm7G7Cmaj7
Dm7 begins a ii-V-I in C major; listen for the move through the dominant to the maj7 arrival.
- Fmaj7Dm7Gm7C7
Here Dm7 serves as vi7, keeping the phrase moving toward the following minor-seven chord.
- Dm7G7
The two-chord Dorian vamp gives Dm7 room to sound like a center without a final cadence.
- Bbmaj7Dm7Ebmaj7
In Bb major, Dm7 acts as iii7 between the home and IVmaj7 chords.
Which shape should you use?
On guitar, start with the open xx0211 grip. Let the open strings ring and keep any strings marked x silent. The x57565 shape gives you another position when the neighboring chords sit elsewhere on the neck.
On ukulele, start with 2213, played at the 1st fret. The 5555 grip moves the chord to another register.
On piano, play D-F-A-C. Move D up an octave to reach the first inversion, F-A-C-D; the notes remain the same while the lowest voice changes.
What are the inversions?
D is the root, F the minor third, A the fifth and C the flat seventh.
- Root position: D-F-A-C, with D lowest.
- First inversion: F-A-C-D, written Dm7/F if F is lowest in the whole arrangement.
- Second inversion: A-C-D-F, written Dm7/A if A is lowest in the whole arrangement.
- Third inversion: C-D-F-A, written Dm7/C if C is lowest in the whole arrangement.
A slash chord names the note in the bass, not merely the lowest note under one hand. Chord Inversions shows how to read that distinction.
How does Dm7 differ from D7?
Keep D, A and C, then raise the third from F to F sharp. That turns Dm7 into D7; listen to the one moving voice. Try that one-note change on piano, then use the comparer to hear it in the full chord. See D7 for the other chord's full spelling and roles.
Dm7
D - F - A - CD7
D - F# - A - C