Dm6 chord
Dm6 is D, F, A and B: 1–♭3–5–6 built on D. Below: guitar, piano and ukulele, each playable.
On guitar
x-x-0-2-0-1 · open · easy
- Notes
- D · F · A · B
- Formula
- 1 · ♭3 · 5 · 6
- First shape
- x-x-0-2-0-1
Dm6 on guitar: every shape, finger by finger
On piano
root position · D–F–A–B · right hand 1-2-3-5
- Notes
- D · F · A · B
- Formula
- 1 · ♭3 · 5 · 6
Dm6 on piano: fingering and inversions
On ukulele
2-2-1-2 · movable · medium
- Notes
- D · F · A · B
- Formula
- 1 · ♭3 · 5 · 6
- First shape
- 2-2-1-2
Changing out of Dm6
Three changes cover most of what Dm6 does in songs.
- Dm6 → G (V in C major)
Guitar: Dm6 (x-x-0-2-0-1) to G (3-2-0-0-0-3): the index finger goes to the A string, 2nd fret, the middle finger goes to the low E string, 3rd fret, the ring finger comes down on the high E string, 3rd fret. Nothing carries over, so drill it slowly, lifting and landing all fingers at once. D and B carry over from one chord to the other.
Piano: Dm6 to G: play G in 2nd inversion (D–G–B) and D and B stay under the same fingers, while F moves up to G. G - Dm6 → F (IV in C major)
Guitar: Dm6 (x-x-0-2-0-1) to F (1-3-3-2-1-1): your middle finger stays put, the index finger lays across the low E to high E strings at the 1st fret, the ring finger comes down on the A string, 3rd fret, the pinky finger comes down on the D string, 3rd fret. The two chords share F and A, which is why the change sounds smooth.
Piano: Dm6 to F: play F in root position (F–A–C) and F and A stay under the same fingers, while B moves up to C. F - Dm6 → C (I in C major)
Guitar: Dm6 (x-x-0-2-0-1) to C (x-3-2-0-1-0): the index finger slides across to the B string at the same fret, the middle finger slides across to the D string at the same fret, the ring finger comes down on the A string, 3rd fret. Everything moves: lift the whole hand and place the new shape in one go.
Piano: Dm6 to C: play C in 1st inversion (E–G–C), while F moves down to E, F up to G and B up to C. C
Guitar with a capo: capo 5, Am6 shape. Ukulele with a capo: capo 5, Am6 shape.
How Dm6 is built
Dm6 is D minor with a major sixth added. It sounds moody and cinematic, a favorite in gypsy jazz and film noir, and works as the home chord of a minor key.
Start on D, count 3 half steps up to F, 4 half steps up to A then 2 half steps up to B.
| Note | Role | Half steps | Hear it |
|---|---|---|---|
| D | root | 0 | |
| F | minor third | 3 | |
| A | perfect fifth | 7 | |
| B | major sixth | 9 |
Keys and progressions with Dm6
Dm6 isn't a chord of any major or natural minor key, so it usually appears as a passing or borrowed chord.
Chords close to Dm6
- Dm6 is Dm plus B. Dm
Chords that share most of their notes with Dm6: Bm7♭5, G9, Dm, Bdim, Dm7, D6.
Every D chord
Dm6 chord: questions
What notes are in the Dm6 chord?
D, F, A and B. Dm6 is built 1–♭3–5–6 from D: F is the minor third, A is the perfect fifth and B is the major sixth.
How do you play Dm6 on guitar?
The usual shape is x-x-0-2-0-1 (open). All 4 guitar shapes.
How do you play Dm6 on piano?
Play D, F, A and B with right-hand fingers 1-2-3-5. D sits between the two black keys. Inversions and left hand.
How do you play Dm6 on ukulele?
2-2-1-2 in standard GCEA tuning. More ukulele shapes.
What key is Dm6 in?
Dm6 isn't a chord of any major or natural minor key, so it usually appears as a passing or borrowed chord.
What's the difference between Dm6 and Dm?
Dm6 is Dm plus B.
Diagrams and sound come from the same data, tested so they match. Updated September 2026.