D Minor Guitar Scale
Guitar scale in 8-string tuning — fretboard diagram
D Minor in 8-string — Notes and Intervals
The D Minor scale, also known as the Aeolian mode or natural minor, is the standard for expressing melancholy, introspection, and drama. On Guitar, its notes are D, E, F, G, A, Bb, C. Its sound is darker and more somber than the major scale, widely used in songwriting to evoke deep emotional narratives and serving as the foundation of traditional minor-key compositions. The diatonic chords of D Minor are Dm7, Em7b5, Fmaj7, Gm7, Am7, Bbmaj7, C7. Commonly used in Rock, Pop, Metal, Classical, R&B. Notable players include Metallica, Adele, Beethoven. Use over minor triads, m7, m9 chords. Works across the entire minor key. Avoid over dominant chords that want a leading tone.
Notes: D, E, F, G, A, Bb, C
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3m, 4P, 5P, 6m, 7m
Degrees: 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7
Formula: W-H-W-W-H-W-W
Number of notes: 7
Tuning: 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
Also known as: aeolian
Diatonic Chords
Dm7 — Em7♭5 — Fmaj7 — Gm7 — Am7 — B♭maj7 — C7