There are several ways to play the D sharp minor chord on guitar. The most common variants use the A-minor and E-minor shape with a barred finger. You can use other finger positions that are not barre chords that will be easier for beginners.
D#m Chord Versions
The D# minor chord is also known as the Eb minor chord, depending on the key signature of the music you’re playing. Since it is a minor chord, the root, minor third, and perfect fifth come from a minor scale–in this case, it is the D# minor scale.
D# Minor (Am shape)
- Barre on the sixth fret strings 1-5 with your 1st finger
- 3rd finger to D-string fret 8
- 4th finger to G-string fret 8
- 2nd finger to B-string fret 7
The first, most common way to play the D sharp minor chord on guitar is this A-minor barre chord shape. You will see that your 2nd, 3rd, and 4th finger make the A-minor chord shape within this barre chord.
You can achieve a fuller sound using a small variation of this barre chord shape. While leaving all other fingers in the same place, you can barre all six strings on the 6th fret instead of just the first five strings.
Now, the bass note becomes A# instead of D#, which gives the chord a fuller sound.
Try next: D# major chord
D# Minor (Em shape)
- Barre all 6 strings at the fret 11
- 3rd finger on A-string fret 13
- 4th finger on D-string fret 13
This E-minor barre chord shape is the other common way for playing the D sharp minor chord on the guitar.
Similar Em shape: B flat minor guitar chord
D# Minor Version 3
- 2nd finger to D-string fret 8
- 3rd finger to G-string fret 8
- 1st finger to B-string fret 7
Shape 3 is an easier way for learning the D sharp minor chord on guitar. Shape 3 uses the more straightforward A-minor chord in an alternate position on the neck. With this chord, it is important only to strum the three strings with fingers on them.
D# Minor Version 4
- 1st finger to high E-string fret 6
- 2nd finger to B-string fret 7
- 3rd finger to G-string fret 8
Shape 4 is yet another version of the D# minor chord that is not a barre chord. Like shape 3, it is important to only play the strings that have fingers on them. Shape 4 is a chord shape that you can move around the neck while you keep your fingers the same distance apart to play different minor chords.
Notes of a D# Minor Chord
- Root: D#
- Minor Third: F#
- Perfect Fifth: A#
When you call this chord Eb minor, how the chord sounds will not change, but the names of the notes will change.
Notes of an Eb Minor Chord
- Root: Eb
- Minor Third: Gb
- Perfect Fifth: Bb
When you play this chord on the guitar, the finger positions will not change, whether you call the chord D# minor or Eb minor.
The D# minor chord is not the most common chord on guitar, but you will likely need to know it at some point in your guitar journey, so keep practicing these fingerings!
Try more chords:
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