Dm6 chord on guitar

Dm6 is D, F, A and B. The easiest shape is x-x-0-2-0-1. Hit Play and watch each string light as it sounds.

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

How to play Dm6 on guitar

Shape 1, x-x-0-2-0-1, reading from the low E string on the left:

F: index finger, 1st fret of the high E string.
A: middle finger, 2nd fret of the G string.
Leave the D and B strings open: D and B.
Strum from the D string down; the low E and A strings stay silent.

If an open string sounds dead, a fingertip is leaning on it. Come down more on the tips, with your knuckles bent.
With four strings sounding, a shorter strum works best: start on the first played string and stop at the high E.

Other ways to play Dm6

10-12-12-10-12-10: barre shape at the 10th fret, medium. Root on the 6th string: move it up or down and it names a different minor sixth chord.
x-5-7-4-6-x: movable shape at the 4th fret, medium. This is the open Am6 shape with a barre behind it, root on the 5th string.
10-8-7-7-10-7: partial barre shape at the 7th fret, medium. A high voicing for when the low version is taken by another instrument.

Capo shortcuts for Dm6

With a capo you can skip the harder shapes: capo on the 5th fret and play the open Am6 shape (x-0-2-2-1-2). Everything above the capo is fingered exactly like the open chord.

Changing from Dm6 to the chords around it

Songs rarely hold Dm6 for long. Here's what your hand does on the moves that come up most.

G (V in C major): 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. G on guitar
F (IV in C major): 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. F on guitar
C (I in C major): 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. C on guitar

Dm6 is D minor with a major sixth added. Dm6 sounds moody and cinematic and often replaces Dm as the home chord of a minor jazz tune. On guitar you hear it best picked slowly, string by string.

A short Dm6 drill

Pick shape 1 one string at a time, low to high: D, A, B, F. Every note should ring clearly; if one thuds, adjust that finger before you strum. Then switch to 10-12-12-10-12-10 and back four times without looking at your hand.

Where Dm6 shows up

Dm6 on piano and ukulele

Dm6 on piano and ukulele uses the same 4 notes in a different layout. See all three together.

Close to Dm6

Other minor sixth chords

Dm6 on guitar: questions

What notes are in Dm6 on guitar?

D, F, A and B. In the x-x-0-2-0-1 shape the strings play D (D string, open), A (G string), B (B string, open) and F (high E string).

What's the easiest way to play Dm6 on guitar?

x-x-0-2-0-1, shape 1 above. No barre: some strings ring open.

Is Dm6 a barre chord on guitar?

Not the usual shape: x-x-0-2-0-1 needs no barre. The barre versions come later, higher on the neck.

Which string does Dm6 start on?

In the x-x-0-2-0-1 shape the lowest string you play is the D string, open, which is D, the root. Skip the low E and A strings.

Checked automatically: no shape here plays a note outside Dm6. Updated September 2026.