Dm Chord On Banjo

Whether you’re a beginner or an expert we’ve got you covered with the most complete list of common finger positions and inversions of the Dm chord on a banjo.

All of the following chord positions are based on a 4 or 5 string banjo tuned to standard open G tuning. If you are playing a 4 string banjo the finger position is the same for each chord. Just ignore the top (fifth) string.

The Most Common Dm Banjo Chord Position

The most common way to play the Dm chord on a banjo is:

The fifth string is not played.
The forth string is played open.
Place your index finger on the third string behind the second fret.
Place your middle finger on the second string behind the third fret.
Place your ring finger on the first string behind the third fret.

Although this is the most common this is not the only way to play this chord. Once you have mastered this position, check out the Dm banjo chord inversions below for alternate finger positions to enhance your banjo playing skills.

Notes In A D Minor Chord

The Dm banjo chord includes the notes D, F and A.

The D note (root) is played on the forth string open and second string, second fret.
The F note (minor) is played on the first string, third fret.
The A note (major) is played on the third string, second fret.

Dm Banjo Chord Inversions

As you may know the same notes are available at many different positions on the banjo fretboard. An inversion is simply just another way of positioning your fingers on the banjo neck to play a familiar chord.

Below is a list of alternate finger positioning for Dm banjo chords. Have some fun with them, maybe you’ll figure out a new way to play an old song.

Dm Banjo Chord Inversion 1

The fifth string is not played.
Place your middle finger on the forth string behind the third fret.
Place your index finger on the third string behind the second fret.
Place your middle finger on the second string behind the third fret.
Place your ring finger on the first string behind the third fret.

The D note (root) is played on the second string, second fret.
The F note (minor) is played on the first and forth string, third fret.
The A note (major) is played on the third string, second fret.

D Minor Banjo Chord Inversion 2

The fifth string is not played.
The forth string is played open.
Place your middle finger on the third string behind the seventh fret.
Place your index finger on the second string behind the sixth fret.
Place your ring finger on the first string behind the seventh fret.

The D note (root) is played on the forth string open and third string, seventh fret.
The F note (minor) is played on the second string, sixth fret.
The A note (major) is played on the first string, seventh fret.

D Minor Inversion 3

The fifth string is not played.
Place your middle finger on the forth string behind the seventh fret.
Place your middle finger on the third string behind the seventh fret.
Place your index finger on the second string behind the sixth fret.
Place your ring finger on the first string behind the seventh fret.

The D note (root) is played on the third string, seventh fret.
The F note (minor) is played on the second string, sixth fret.
The A note (major) is played on the forth and first string, seventh fret.

D Minor Inversion 4

The fifth string is not played.
The forth string is played open.
Place your index finger across the second and third string behind the tenth fret.
Place your ring finger on the first string behind the twelfth fret.

The D note (root) is played on the forth string open and the first string twelfth fret.
The F note (minor) is played on the third string, tenth fret.
The A note (major) is played on the second string, tenth fret.

Inversion 5

The fifth string is not played.
Place your ring finger on the forth string behind the twelfth fret.
Place your index finger across the second and third string behind the tenth fret.
Place your pinky finger on the first string behind the twelfth fret.

The D note (root) is played on the forth and the first string twelfth fret.
The F note (minor) is played on the third string, tenth fret.
The A note (major) is played on the second string, tenth fret.