D minor scale on piano
The D minor scale uses the notes D - E - F - G - A - B♭ - C and has 1 flat. This page shows the natural minor scale.
Numbers on the keys are right-hand fingers (1 = thumb, 5 = little finger).
D minor scale fingering
| Hand | D | E | F | G | A | B♭ | C | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Practice each hand alone, slowly, until the thumb crossing feels smooth. Then play hands together at a tempo where you make no mistakes, and raise it a little each day.
Chords in D minor
Build a triad on every note of the scale and you get the seven chords that belong to this key:
| Degree | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| i | D minor | D - F - A |
| ii° | E diminished | E - G - B♭ |
| III | F major | F - A - C |
| iv | G minor | G - B♭ - D |
| v | A minor | A - C - E |
| VI | B♭ major | B♭ - D - F |
| VII | C major | C - E - G |
The most common progression in pop music in this key is Dm - Am - B♭ - Gm (i - v - VI - iv).
Relative key
F major is the relative major of D minor. Both scales use the same notes; they simply start on a different note, which changes the mood.
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the D minor scale?
D minor: D, E, F, G, A, B♭, C, D.
How many sharps or flats are in D minor?
D minor has 1 flat (B♭).
What is the relative major of D minor?
F major. It shares the same notes and key signature as D minor.