Dbm Chord, How to Play D Flat Minor Guitar Chord

The Db minor chord, or Dbm chord, is also known as C#m, depending on the key signature of the song you’re playing. You can play either barre chords or simpler chord shapes when learning to play d flat minor.

D flat Minor

Minor chords utilize the root, minor third, and perfect fifth of a minor scale. The notes inside of the Db minor chord are from the Db minor scale. 

Dbm Chord Shape 1 (A minor shape)

• Bar the 4th fret of the first five strings
• 3rd finger D-string, 6th fret
• 4th finger G-string, 6th fret
• 2nd finger B-string, 5th fret 

There are two ways you can create a larger and fuller sound with this chord shape. One way is to take your first finger on fret four and extend it to the low E-string, barring all six strings. Leave the rest of your fingers in the same position and strum all six strings. 

The other option is to keep the bar in its original place on the A-string along with the rest of your fingers. Then, simply strum the open low E-string along with the rest of the chord. 

This is the most common chord shape to learn when studying how to play the d flat minor guitar chord. You can use this barre chord shape to play many kinds of minor chords in addition to Dbm.

Try another similar barre next: The A#m chord on guitar

Dbm Chord Shape 2 (E minor bar chord)

• Barre all strings at 9th fret
• 3rd finger on A-string, 11th fret
• 4th finger on D-string, 11th fret

For this shape, use your first finger and barre all six strings at fret nine. Then, use your third finger on A-string fret eleven, followed by your fourth finger on D-string fret 11. Strum all six strings to play D flat minor. 

Try a similar chord: D#m

Shape 3

• 1st finger on high E-string, 4th fret
• 2nd finger on B-string, 5th fret 
• 3rd finger on G-string, 6th fret 

Shape 3 is a simplified version of the A minor bar chord shape that is useful for beginners. For this shape, place your first finger on high E-string fret four. Follow that with your second finger on B-string fret 5, and finally, place your third finger G-string fret six. 

It’s crucial for this shape that you only play the three strings that have fingers on them while muting the rest of the guitar strings. Don’t understand the chart? Learn to read guitar chord charts, first…

Learning the Db minor shapes can be challenging at first, but these shapes are moveable chord shapes you can use to play any minor chord, not just the Db minor.

Also try: D sharp major guitar chord

Notes of the Db Minor Chord

• Root: Db
• Minor 3rd: Fb (or E)
• Perfect Fifth: Ab

Sometimes musicians refer to Dbm as C#m. As you study the D flat minor guitar chord or C sharp minor guitar chord, the fingerings you play will remain the same, but the notes’ names will change. Keep in mind, though, that while the names change, the notes do not.

Next to play: The major D flat chord

Notes of the C# Minor Chord 

• Root: C#
• Minor 3rd: E
• Perfect 5th: G#

Read next:

More easy guitar chords

Ebm (or E flat minor) on guitar

G flat guitar chord

G flat minor on guitar