D minor has 1 ♭ (Bb) in its key signature.
The D minor scale is: D E F G A Bb C D.
The diatonic chords are Dm (i), Edim (ii°), F (III), Gm (iv), Am (v), Bb (VI) and C (VII). The main functions are Dm (tonic), Gm (subdominant) and Am (dominant).
In harmonic minor the 7th degree is raised (C#); this turns the dominant into the major chord A.
The relative major is F major. In the circle of fifths, G minor (a fifth lower) and A minor (a fifth higher) sit right next to D minor.
Mozart's Requiem (K. 626) and Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 are in D minor; in the finale of the Ninth, Beethoven moves to D major with the "Ode to Joy". On the guitar the Dm chord is a popular shape.
All keys at a glance
Table with key signatures and all diatonic chords. Click a key to open its own page.
Back to the overview: Circle of Fifth
Mnemonic for sharp keys: Good Dogs Always Eat Big Fat Cats
Mnemonic for flat keys: Fat Bears Eat Apples Daily Getting Chubby
| Key | Key signature | I | ii | iii | IV | V | vi | vii° |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C majorA minor | none | C | Dm | Em | F | G | Am | Bdim |
| G majorE minor | 1 ♯F# | G | Am | Bm | C | D | Em | F#dim |
| D majorB minor | 2 ♯F#, C# | D | Em | F#m | G | A | Bm | C#dim |
| A majorF# minor | 3 ♯F#, C#, G# | A | Bm | C#m | D | E | F#m | G#dim |
| E majorC# minor | 4 ♯F#, C#, G#, D# | E | F#m | G#m | A | B | C#m | D#dim |
| B majorG# minor | 5 ♯F#, C#, G#, D#, A# | B | C#m | D#m | E | F# | G#m | A#dim |
| F# majorD# minor | 6 ♯F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E# | F# | G#m | A#m | B | C# | D#m | E#dim |
| C# majorA# minor | 7 ♯F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#, B# | C# | D#m | E#m | F# | G# | A#m | B#dim |
| F majorD minor | 1 ♭Bb | F | Gm | Am | Bb | C | Dm | Edim |
| Bb majorG minor | 2 ♭Bb, Eb | Bb | Cm | Dm | Eb | F | Gm | Adim |
| Eb majorC minor | 3 ♭Bb, Eb, Ab | Eb | Fm | Gm | Ab | Bb | Cm | Ddim |
| Ab majorF minor | 4 ♭Bb, Eb, Ab, Db | Ab | Bbm | Cm | Db | Eb | Fm | Gdim |
| Db majorBb minor | 5 ♭Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb | Db | Ebm | Fm | Gb | Ab | Bbm | Cdim |
| Gb majorEb minor | 6 ♭Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb | Gb | Abm | Bbm | Cb | Db | Ebm | Fdim |
| Cb majorAb minor | 7 ♭Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb, Fb | Cb | Dbm | Ebm | Fb | Gb | Abm | Bbdim |
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