Key

The key of D minor · 1 flat: B♭

Minor keys sound darker and more serious. Songs in minor keys usually borrow a major V chord from the harmonic minor scale for a stronger pull home.

Relative major: F major — the same notes and key signature. Parallel major: D major. Scale: D minor scale.

Notes in the key

DEFGAB♭C

Chords in D minor

One chord on each note of the scale. Roman numerals show each chord’s position — uppercase for major, lowercase for minor.

Left-handed

i Dm

D F A

ii° Edim

E G B♭

III F

F A C

iv Gm

G B♭ D

v Am

A C E

VI B♭

B♭ D F

VII C

C E G

Borrowed from harmonic minor

Raising the 7th note turns v into a major V (and V7) — the chord that makes minor-key songs resolve so strongly.

V A

A C♯ E

V7 A7

A C♯ E G

vii°7 C♯dim7

C♯ E G B♭

Common progressions in D minor

The epic minor progression i–VI–III–VII Dm – B♭ – F – C The minor cadence i–iv–V–i Dm – Gm – A – Dm The Andalusian cadence i–VII–VI–V Dm – C – B♭ – A

Circle of fifths

Each step clockwise adds a sharp (or removes a flat). Neighbors on the circle share all but one note, so D minor’s closest keys are right next to it — and its relative major sits on the outer ring. Click any key to open it.