Dm -- a kind of trivial fretting question

**Bernie Daniel** · Jun-11-2010, 10:53am

This is a pretty trivial question - -but thought I'd mention it anyway.

My favorite Dm in first postion is 2355 -- I like it better than just 235X or 2oo1 because it is a closed, movable chord -- i.e., handy.

But I happened to notice yesterday a mando chord book that the "recommended" fingering for this chord is: (A) index (F) middle and (D & A) a bar with the ring finger.

Just curious because I always do this chord index, ring and make the bar with the pinky finger. This is pretty comforable and an easy, good sounding chord to make.

Doing the fingering as recommended is uncomfortable and controts my hand. I don't think its a big deal but I've always thought I do not have enough digit flexibility in that dimension.

How would you do it?

**AlanN** · Jun-11-2010, 10:57am

I do it the book way. I also use 5-3-5-5 for color, same bar with ring finger.

**Pete Martin** · Jun-11-2010, 12:53pm

The barre with either the pinkie or ring finger is fine. Both have advantages and disadvantages.

**Andrew DeMarco** · Jun-11-2010, 1:12pm

I have been really into 7351. I'm not sure if it's a common voicing or whatever, but I'm liking it. At first it was a bit of a stretch but I'm getting the hang of it.

**Bernie Daniel** · Jun-11-2010, 5:24pm

Originally Posted by AlanN

I do it the book way. I also use 5-3-5-5 for color, same bar with ring finger.

On 5-3-5-5 I think I would used the ring finger to bar that one as well - its a fret "closer" than the one I mentioned.

Hmmmmm, C-F-D-A -- what is that Dm7? I'm not sure not much on music theory. I've never thought of that chord that I can recall anyway -- need get home and find a mandolin to give it a try!

**Bernie Daniel** · Jun-11-2010, 5:34pm

Originally Posted by Andrew DeMarco

I have been really into 7351. I'm not sure if it's a common voicing or whatever, but I'm liking it. At first it was a bit of a stretch but I'm getting the hang of it.

It does seem like a stretch all right -- but its not really a "full" Dm chord though is it? D-F-D-F No A in there?

**Pete Hicks** · Jun-11-2010, 6:15pm

Remember that D minor uses the same notes as an F6 chord, so any F6 triad will work. One of my favorites is 7-0-5 (mute e string). that is three d notes, good for Dm or D major. It's kind of a power chord.

**Philphool** · Jun-11-2010, 6:56pm

Not what OP asked, but
My favorite Dm is 7355 (getting strings 1 & 2 with middle fingertip) or 735x

**Bernie Daniel** · Jun-11-2010, 7:30pm

Originally Posted by Philphool

Not what OP asked, but
My favorite Dm is 7355 (getting strings 1 & 2 with middle fingertip) or 735x

Its a neat sounding chord. Wondering why do you not just drop the ring finger (4th digit from thumb) on the A&D course (5th fret) instead? Seems like a easier to me?

**Bernie Daniel** · Jun-11-2010, 7:32pm

Originally Posted by Pete Hicks

Remember that D minor uses the same notes as an F6 chord, so any F6 triad will work. One of my favorites is 7-0-5 (mute e string). that is three d notes, good for Dm or D major. It's kind of a power chord.

Yeah that's a neat trick!

**mrmando** · Jun-11-2010, 8:05pm

My favorite Dm chord is a space odyssey!

**Bernie Daniel** · Jun-12-2010, 7:47am

Originally Posted by mrmando

My favorite Dm chord is a space odyssey!

That was a really low pitched mandolin if I recall -- but of course I might not remember correctly as I saw the movie in like 1973?

**mandroid** · Jun-12-2010, 1:11pm

the pinky barre, leaves the ring finger available to make the Dmaj, by raising the 3rd, 2455, just by adding the F#.

**journeybear** · Jun-12-2010, 3:05pm

Originally Posted by mandroid

the pinky barre, leaves the ring finger available to make the Dmaj, by raising the 3rd, 2455, just by adding the F#.

Yup. And Bernie - I play that chord the same way you do, with a pinky barre. That far down the neck I pretty much assign a one fret difference to each finger, so the middle finger would get the third fret on the D string for the F in Dm, and the ring finger the fourth fret for the F# in D. It's just easier that way, for me anyway. Best example is the augmented form - like F+ for instance: 2345 - THE most natural-feeling chord form there is, for my money.

Eh, who writes these books? What do they know?

Do what feels comfortable, as long as you hit the notes. And I'll go first this time: Don't fret over it.

Originally Posted by Pete Hicks

Remember that D minor uses the same notes as an F6 chord ...

No, it doesn't!

Dm7 uses the same notes as F6. That is, D-F-A-C :: F-A-C-D

**Philphool** · Jun-12-2010, 10:42pm

Quote Originally Posted by Philphool
"Not what OP asked, but
My favorite Dm is 7355 (getting strings 1 & 2 with middle fingertip) or 735x"

Originally Posted by Bernie Daniel

Its a neat sounding chord. Wondering why do you not just drop the ring finger (4th digit from thumb) on the A&D course (5th fret) instead? Seems like a easier to me?

index finger on 3rd string, middle finger gets strings 1 & 2, ring finger gets 4th string on 7th fret. Leaves pinky for extra work.

**Jim Broyles** · Jun-12-2010, 11:54pm

The open Dm is movable if you fret with your ring and middle fingers. Just barre all four and fret the G string 2 frets up and the E string 1 up. The chord is named by the third string.

**journeybear** · Jun-13-2010, 2:24am

Here's a crazy open Dm chord: 10-0-0-10. For special occasions only.

**Bernie Daniel** · Jun-15-2010, 10:23am

Originally Posted by Jim Broyles

The open Dm is movable if you fret with your ring and middle fingers. Just barre all four and fret the G string 2 frets up and the E string 1 up. The chord is named by the third string.

Just noticed your post today. That's very clever, very easy, and very useful! TX!