Piano chords · Minor 7th chord
Dm7 piano chord (D minor seventh)
Dm7 is a minor seventh chord with 4 notes. It sounds mellow and smooth. Here's how to find it, play it and hear it.
D – F – A – C · tap any key to hear it
The notes of Dm7
Dm7 is built from 4 notes (1 – ♭3 – 5 – ♭7):
- D, the root
- F, the minor third
- A, the fifth
- C, the minor seventh
Every note is a white key, which makes Dm7 an easy chord to find and play.
Fingering
- Right hand: 1 on D, 2 on F, 3 on A, 5 on C.
- Left hand: 5 on D, 3 on F, 2 on A, 1 on C.
Press every key at exactly the same moment, with the same weight. If one note sounds louder or a fraction late, the chord sounds uneven: play it slowly and listen for one sound.
Inversions
An inversion is the same notes in a different order, with a different note at the bottom. Inversions let you move between chords without jumping around the keyboard.
| Position | Notes, bottom to top |
|---|---|
| Root position | D – F – A – C |
| 1st inversion | F – A – C – D |
| 2nd inversion | A – C – D – F |
| 3rd inversion | C – D – F – A |
Where Dm7 belongs
Dm7 is the ii7 chord in C major, the iii7 chord in B♭ major and the vi7 chord in F major.
Dm7 is Dm with a minor seventh, C, added on top, which softens it from sad to smooth.
Hear it in a progression
Dm7 – G7 – Cmaj7: ii – V – I in C major, the backbone of jazz.
Playing it, but it doesn't sound right? Ivory listens to you play and tells you what's off: a note that's missing, a hand that lands late, a chord that's uneven. Then it shows you how it should go.
Questions people ask
What notes are in the Dm7 chord?
Dm7 (D minor seventh) is made of D, F, A and C: the root, minor third, fifth and minor seventh.
How do you play Dm7 on piano?
With your right hand, use fingers 1 on D, 2 on F, 3 on A, 5 on C, and press them together. With your left hand: 5 on D, 3 on F, 2 on A, 1 on C.
How is Dm7 different from the plain chord?
Dm7 is Dm with a minor seventh, C, added on top, which softens it from sad to smooth.