The D sharp minor chord has an air of melancholy about it, and it works quite well in many progressions in a minor key. Today, we’ll take you through how to play the D sharp minor guitar chord — it’s easier than you think!
What’s the D Sharp Minor Guitar Chord?
Like many minor chords, this one is a three-note chord. The D# minor triad is a chord that contains the notes D# (the root note), F#, and A#.
It’s important to note that the D sharp minor chord is the same chord as E flat minor. The chord name changes depending on the context in which the chord is played.
How to Play the D Sharp Minor Chord
The D# minor guitar chord can be played in several different ways. Here, we’ll show you the three main ways along with suggested finger positions.
Method 1: Root 6 Barre Chord
This chord shape has its root note (D#) at the eleventh fret on the sixth string. Here’s how to play it:
- Barre your first finger across all strings at the eleventh fret.
- Place your middle finger on the fifth string at the thirteenth fret.
- Place your ring finger on the fourth string at the thirteenth fret.
Method 2: Root 5 Barre Chord
Since root 5 chords have their root notes on the fifth string, this chord shape leaves out the sixth string. It’s probably the D# minor chord guitar players use most often. Here’s how to play it:
- Barre your first finger across the first five strings at the sixth fret.
- Place your middle finger on the second string at the seventh fret.
- Place your ring finger on the fourth string at the eighth fret.
- Place your pinky on the third string at the eighth fret.
- Mute or skip the sixth string.
Method 3: The Open Version
Though you might think an open chord would be easier than a barre chord, the finger positions for the open version can be a little awkward — they’re spread over the fretboard. Here’s how to play it:
- Place your first finger on the fourth string at the first fret.
- Place your middle finger on the first string at the second fret.
- Place your ring finger on the third string at the third fret.
- Place your pinky finger on the second string at the fourth fret.
- Mute or skip the fifth and sixth strings.
Going Forward
Whether you take lessons or are self-taught, we hope that the D sharp minor guitar chord will help your playing progress. And if you’re familiar enough with root notes and the shapes of barre chords, you can always figure it out if you forget!
FAQ
Need a little more info before you start playing the D#m chord? Here are some answers:
The D minor chord is different from the D sharp minor chord. When you raise a D minor chord by a half step, you get D#m.
Some of the major chords and minor chords in the key of D sharp minor are B, G#m, C#, A#m, F#, and of course D#m.
