This week we’ll discuss one of the most mysterious triads you can play at the top of the neck of your guitar. The D minor has something sad, something exciting, something tough and something scary in its sound. Therefore, it lends itself to many styles. From pop and rap to metal and folk, the Dm covers it all. 
Our chord of the week is versatile, so take advantage of it by including some of the songs below in your jam. They’re not necessarily the easiest tracks, but a little challenge every now and then is good for your skills.
Fear of the Dark – Iron Maiden
“Fear of the Dark“ by British metal band Iron Maiden is a classic; from the intro, on which the bass guitarist plucks a Dm, to the dramatic end. Due to the technical nature of the metal genre, a song like this sounds difficult, but nothing could be further from the truth. When we look at the chord progression of this track we quickly see that it mainly consists of the basic chords Am, C, F, G, E, D, Em and of course the Dm.
The Bb, the Fm and the Gm seem to be the more difficult chords, at first glance. If you look closely though, you see that these barre chords have almost the same finger placement. The only difference is that they are performed on a different position on the neck. With this in mind the level is not as difficult as it seems. But you really have to practice.
Chan Chan – Buena Vista Social Club
The hit single “Chan Chan” performed by the legendary musicians of Buena Vista Social Club is a nice track for the sultry summer evenings. The song is very laid-back and has a less predictable chord progression than many other pop songs.
Use this track to practice your basic chords and for training your motor skills, because there are a few quick transitions between Dm and G and Dm and F. Make sure that your grip doesn’t soften and that the triads sound bright and clear.
All Eyez on Me – 2Pac
Did we say how multifaceted the Dm chord is? Yes, we certainly did. The song “All Eyez on Me” by rapper 2Pac is yet another example of this. The melancholic harmony and the sturdy beat ensure that everything falls perfectly into place in this track.
As far as the chords go, this song is entirely built around a bass line that varies between the Dm and Gm. This makes it fun to experiment with filling in the time between these chords with some plucking. However, the rapping part is a completely different story. You really need to spend a little more time on mastering that skill.
In the Air Tonight
We saved the best for last. This pop classic will never sound the same again after you’ve seen the movie “The Hangover.” Yes, we’re talking about “In the Air Tonight ” by drummer, singer and songwriter Phil Collins. The drum break halfway through the song is epic.
This track is a good moment to borrow your sister’s keyboard. On the guitar the chords Dm, Gm and C sound beautiful, but the song is mainly written for synthesizer. So, if you’re able to experiment on the black and white keys, then this is the moment.
Learn the Dm chord now and and make a start learning these great songs.
Happy jamming!
Teo creates content, which means he writes, a lot, about music, and all things interesting. When it comes to jamming, his weapon of choice is the bass guitar.
