D Minor Scale

This scale reference contains the notes, formula, structure, positions, chords, and modes for the D Minor scale on guitar. For an in-depth lesson on the minor scale, see Minor Scale Patterns, Positions and Theory.

Notes of D Minor Scale

The D Minor scale contains 1 flat and 6 natural notes.

D – E – F – G – A – B♭ – C

Scale Formula

The scale formula for the D Minor scale is:

Root – Major 2nd – Minor 3rd – Perfect 4th – Perfect 5th – Minor 6th – Minor 7th

IntervalsRootMajor 2ndMinor 3rdPerfect 4thPerfect 5thMinor 6thMinor 7th
NotesDEFGAB♭C

Scale Structure

D Minor is a minor scale, so it follows the minor scale structure of whole and half step intervals:

W H W W H W W

D minor scale whole step half step structure

Scale Positions

The diagrams below outline the 5 CAGED positions for the D Minor scale.

Position 1

D minor scale position 1 diagram

Position 2

D minor scale position 2 diagram

Position 3

D minor scale position 3 diagram

Position 4

D minor scale position 4 diagram

Position 5

D minor scale position 5 diagram

Chords in the Key of D Minor

When you harmonize the D Minor scale you get the following chords:

Degreeiii°IIIivvVIVII
ChordDmEdimFGmAmB♭C
Chord NotesD – F – AE – G – B♭F – A – CG – B♭ – DA – C – EB♭ – D – FC – E – G

Relative and Parallel Scales

Relative Major of D Minor: F Major | D – E – F – G – A – B♭ – C

Parallel Major of D Minor: D Major | D – E – F# – G – A – B – C#

Modes

The following are the modes of D Minor:

  • F Ionian (Major)
  • G Dorian (Minor)
  • A Phrygian (Minor)
  • B♭ Lydian (Major)
  • C Mixolydian (Major)
  • D Aeolian (Minor)
  • E Locrian (Minor)