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 |
Free Online Exercises
Interactive carousel with 4 music theory exercises. Use the arrow keys or swipe to move between the exercises.
Reading Chords and Triads
Identify chords and triads in sheet music and strengthen your understanding of harmony.
