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Guitar scales · Natural minor (Aeolian)

D minor scale on guitar

The D minor scale has seven notes: D, E, F, G, A, B♭ and C. As degrees: 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6 and ♭7.

Notes and pattern

The D minor scale

The of a major key: same notes, starting on the 6th degree. Play it to hear it up and down.

From note to note it climbs 2, 1, 2, 2, 1, 2 and 2 : whole, half, whole, whole, half, whole, whole.

D minor has the same notes as F major, starting from D. See that scale.

  1. D1
  2. E2
  3. F♭3
  4. G4
  5. A5
  6. B♭♭6
  7. C♭7
EADGBE0135791215DDDDDDDDEFGAB♭CEFGAB♭CEFGAB♭CEFGAB♭CEFGAB♭CEFGAB♭CEFGAB♭CEFGAB♭CEFG
  • D, the root
  • Other scale notes

Positions

D minor in five positions

The splits the neck into five overlapping positions, one per shape. Learn one, then join it to the next.

D minor · the whole neck

Five positions, each overlapping the next, repeating every 12 frets.

EEDDCAGGEADGBE0135791215DDDDDDDDEFGAB♭CEFGAB♭CEFGAB♭CEFGAB♭CEFGAB♭CEFGAB♭CEFGAB♭CEFGAB♭CEFG
  • Root (D)
  • Scale tone

Chords

Chords from the D minor scale

Stack every other note of the scale on each degree and you get its chords.

Numerals follow the key's own scale, so III, VI and VII in a minor key are its own major chords. A ♭ or ♯ in front marks a chord from outside the key. How Roman numerals work

Hear the chords and progressions in D minor

Same root

Change a note or two and the same takes on a new mood.

Questions

D minor, in short

What notes are in the D minor scale?
The D minor scale has seven notes: D, E, F, G, A, B♭ and C. As degrees: 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6 and ♭7.
What chords go with the D minor scale?
The chords built on D minor are Dm, E°, F, Gm, Am, B♭ and C.
What is the relative major of D minor?
D minor has the same notes as F major, starting from D.
All guitar scales