D minor chords, relative major and Camelot code (7A)
D minor has 1 flat (B♭). Its chords are Dm, E°, F, Gm, Am, B♭ and C. The relative major is F major and the Camelot code is 7A, so it mixes cleanly with 6A, 8A and 7B.
Notes in the D minor scale
D minor has 1 flat (B♭).
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D | E | F | G | A | B♭ | C |
Chords in D minor
Stack every other note of the scale on each degree and you get the seven chords that belong to the key:
| Degree | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| i | Dm | D · F · A |
| ii° | E° | E · G · B♭ |
| III | F | F · A · C |
| iv | Gm | G · B♭ · D |
| v | Am | A · C · E |
| VI | B♭ | B♭ · D · F |
| VII | C | C · E · G |
In practice most songs in D minor swap the minor v for A. Raising the seventh note (C to C♯) gives a leading note that pulls back to D, so A to Dm sounds like arriving home.
Common progressions in D minor
- Dm – B♭ – F – C (i–VI–III–VII): the minor-key pop and trap loop.
- Dm – Gm – Am (i–iv–v): the plain minor blues shape.
- Dm – C – B♭ – A (i–VII–VI–V): the descending Andalusian cadence, with a major V.
- Dm – Gm – C – F (i–iv–VII–III): a common lo-fi and R&B cycle.
Keys that mix with D minor
D minor is 7A on the Camelot wheel. For a clean blend, go to a key next to it:
| Camelot | Key | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| 6A | G minor | One step round the wheel: shares six of its seven notes |
| 8A | A minor | One step the other way: also shares six of seven notes |
| 7B | F major | The relative major: exactly the same notes |
How the wheel works is in the Camelot wheel explained, and how to use it in a set is in harmonic mixing for DJs.
Relative and parallel keys
The relative major, F major, uses exactly the same notes with a different home chord. The parallel major, D major, keeps D as home but changes three notes. More on the difference in relative major and minor keys.
Questions people ask
What chords are in D minor?
Dm (i), E° (ii°), F (III), Gm (iv), Am (v), B♭ (VI) and C (VII).
What is the relative major of D minor?
F major. It uses the same 7 notes, D, E, F, G, A, B♭, C, but centres on F instead of D.
What is the Camelot code for D minor?
7A. In Open Key notation it is 12m.
What keys mix well with D minor?
G minor (6A), A minor (8A) and F major (7B). They sit next to 7A on the Camelot wheel.
How many sharps or flats does D minor have?
1 flat (B♭).