Dm6 Guitar Chord Lesson

In the following post you will be learning how to play the Dm6 Guitar Chord (also known as Dm6, D Minor 6th). Before you skip down to the chord charts below, why not learn a bit of theory first and see how this chord is actually formed?

This chord has its origins in the D Major Scale, which is comprised of the following notes: D, E, F#, G, A, B, C#. We need 4 notes from this scale to form our chord. In order to find those notes, we apply a little formula that looks like this: 1, b3, 5 and 6. This means that we take the 1st, flattened 3rd, 5th and 6th positions of the D Major Scale, or the notes D, F, A and B. The only part that needs further explanation is the “flattened 3rd”. This just means that we take the third step of the D Major scale (F#) and we “flatten” it or go back 1/2 step to our “F” note. Pretty simple stuff right?

D Minor 6 Chord notes: D, F, A and B

Here is a key that will help you read the chart:

Everything on the above chart should be self explanatory, except for the last three in the third column. They may need a bit of explaining. The O, or open symbol, simply means that you do not press down on any notes on that string. The X means you do not strum that particular string. The Barre symbol means you need to barre that particular fret. When you barre a fret you are pressing down on multiple strings at the same time with one finger.

Chord Playing Tip: Be sure that you are pressing down on the strings hard enough. You should play each string one at a time to make sure you have a nice clean sound. If any of the strings buzz or sound muted, then something is not right.